Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the storage and possible disposal of the electoral voting machines. [14205/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In addressing the legacy of the electronic voting project, my priority is to see that the equipment is disposed of as soon as possible.

I have asked the Task Force that was established to oversee the cessation of the project to consider proposals for the disposal of the equipment, with a view towards immediately progressing arrangements. The Task Force met on 12 April 2011, and the necessary preliminary and background work to enable the disposal of the equipment to proceed is currently underway. This is to be completed as soon as possible.

In considering options for disposal of the equipment, the priority is to pursue the most economically advantageous approach, with a view to achieving the maximum recovery of cost possible in the circumstances, consistent with environmental and other obligations.

In 2007, over 60% of the machines (4,762 in total) were moved from 12 local storage locations to a central facility at Gormanston Army Camp. There are no ongoing rental costs in respect of the use of this property. A further 14 machines are held in the Custom House. The remaining machines are stored at 13 local premises that were originally identified by Returning Officers for this purpose. It is intended that all machines will be removed from their present locations when arrangements for disposal are implemented. Work on termination of local lease arrangements is proceeding in this context.

Based on information received in my Department from Returning Officers, the total costs in respect of storage of the electronic voting equipment in 2010 were €144,320.