Is the Leader in a position to tell the House when the Government intends to bring legislation on electronic voting before it? The latest phase of the e-voting saga took place yesterday when the Government decided to appoint an independent commission to investigate the matter and report to the Houses by 1 May. While every member of the commission is a person of the highest possible standing, the failure to involve and consult the Opposition on the appointments is another example of the Government's poor treatment of it and both Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Government is putting the Clerks of both Houses in an invidious position by placing them on the commission. They are being asked to adjudicate on what has become a political matter and one which should have been determined in this and the other House. It is unwarranted and unfair of the Government to place in that position individuals of the highest possible public repute. I wish to hear a statement from the Government on this matter and to know when legislation will come forward. As we approach the June elections, a cloud continues to obscure our knowledge of which system of voting will be in place. We require clarity on the matter. […]
I support the point Senator Brian Hayes made on the commission on electronic voting. This is a very divisive political issue on which parties have taken positions. It is wrong to place people of unimpeachable integrity, such as the Clerks of both Houses, in the position of having to mediate, adjudicate and pronounce on a highly charged political issue. It was not contemplated when their roles were defined and it is not analogous to the positions they have on the boundaries commission where the issue is clear-cut. As the Government, Opposition parties and various individuals have adopted positions on electronic voting, it is unfair to place the Clerks in this very difficult position. I do not know what level of consultation took place, but that is my independent view of the matter. The appointments will make life very difficult for them. […]
I do not wish to repeat what my two colleagues said, except to make one further point. One of the reasons there is such controversy is precisely the point some people use for arguing in favour of electronic voting. We have an incredible level of computer software expertise in this country. It is from some of that computer software expertise that most of the questions arise and most of the questions are unanswered. There is an individual in Ireland — I will not mention his name or where he is — who is regarded as the world authority on software verification. He is the best in the world.
Mention me. I do not mind.
Senator Norris can verify many things, but software is not one with which I was familiar.
Senator Ryan without interruption.
We could resolve this issue. I have spent a good deal time saying I did not think there was a sinister motivation behind this move. However, the more this obdurate determination to ignore everybody else goes on, the more I am forced to change my mind because I cannot see any reason for the way things are being done other than the desire to cover something up. […]
The comments of Senators Brian Hayes, O'Toole and Ryan about electronic voting show why the issue should never have been politicised. The introduction of electronic voting confers no advantage on any party in this House…
The Malaysian crusader.
The director of elections for Fianna Fáil.
…a Government party or the Opposition. It is absolutely politically neutral. I am certain that when the Bill is published, it will contain severe penalties for anyone who would tamper with or manipulate it in any manner whatsoever. […]
The Government, of which Senator Mansergh is a member, has of its own making created a great mistrust of the e-voting system. […]
On electronic voting, the report of the commission is due to be published on 1 May, which is very late. Will the Leader assure the House that if the commission recommends electronic voting should be abandoned, the Minister will act upon that recommendation? […]
Many Members referred to electronic voting. While I am opposed to its introduction, we must be careful in what we say about the commission. I have no problem with it. It is the Opposition which, by saying that commission members are of the highest integrity, puts itself in a difficult position. If Fianna Fáil had appointed, as is sometimes its wont and that of all parties, political hacks, there would be blue bloody murder. However, when it appoints people of absolute integrity, we criticise the Government and say the appointees are compromised. We cannot have it both ways.
My position is a fair one, namely that this commission is made up of those of the highest integrity. We should accept what they have to say, and a commitment in that regard should come from the Government because commission members are patently non-political.
On that issue, I generally agree with the comments of Senators Brian Hayes, Ryan and O'Toole. I accept, as we all do, that the members of the commission are eminent and uncompromised. However, in a democracy the voting system belongs to all. Surely, in this instance, it is only proper to proceed on an all-party basis.
That is correct.
It is not to take from those appointed to the commission, who are accepted by all as being of the highest integrity, to acknowledge that this is a highly charged situation. The only way to steer ourselves out of it is through the application of political will on a cross-party basis.
Senator Ross reminded me that we were discussing many issues which were not applicable to the Order of Business. We cannot have a debate on this issue.
Senator Ross for Cathaoirleach.
I accept that. However, this matter is pertinent and I look forward to hearing the views of the Leader. […]
Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of electronic voting. While he agreed the commission members were people of probity, he said they were being put in an invidious position. However, it is because they are well divorced from political affiliations that we should have trust and confidence in their capabilities. The Taoiseach said yesterday the relevant legislation will be brought in as soon as possible. I am sure the commission will do its duty in a fine manner. […]
Senator O'Toole regretted the make-up of the commission on electronic voting. […] Senator Ryan mentioned the queries raised by those involved at the top level of the computer industry and said the Government is obdurate. The situation is the opposite. The Government moved on this issue when the Opposition expressed concerns, so the Opposition can take the credit for that. […]
Senator Mansergh said electronic voting confers no advantage on anyone […]
Senator McCarthy mentioned the committee which is dealing with electronic voting. If the committee recommends festina lente and tells us to hasten slowly then the Taoiseach has said quite clearly that is the route he will take. There is confidence in the committee, which is made up of independent-minded, clever and competent people. The Government will accept whatever they come up with. […]
Senator Coghlan wanted electronic voting dealt with on a cross-party basis, but those on the committee dealing with it have no party affiliations and it is a very good committee.
I accept that.
We cannot all be responsible for what our colleagues may say. The Senator's leader says he favours Internet voting, but the Senator does not. I am not critical of him. Ours is a broadly based party and we are not into hacking. The Senator's party leader obviously is and he must know more than I do. He is prepared to bring in Internet voting and to have it in the supermarkets.
We need a trustworthy system and not what is being concocted by Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and the Minister in regard to e-voting. The public does not trust them on the issue.
I rest my case. We need a trustworthy system…
I agree.
…and not the type of system the Senator's party recommends. We will leave it at that. Ours is a broadly based party and we are entitled to express views at all levels. […]
The Minister of State is fleecing motorists to pay for e-voting. The reality is that what he will take in as a result of this Bill will be less than half what e-voting will cost.