Hogan defends deal on sale of e-voting machines

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has defended the value of the deal to dispose the controversial electronic voting machines.

It was announced last night that the 7,500 devices are being sold to a Co Offaly company - for scrapping and recycling - for just over €70,000.

KMK Metals Recycling Limited, based in Tullamore, was the highest of seven bidders and offered €70,276 for the unused equipment

The machines originally cost €50m to buy and just under a further €5m since the system was shelved after being piloted in 2002.

Minister Hogan said it was the best deal on the table.

"We expected actually under the Waste Management Act to have to pay in order to dispose of those machines," he said.

"So we are very fortunate to at least have ended up on the plus side."

No offers were received from another Government or authority to reuse the 7,500 machines or the more than 22,000 pieces of associated equipment.

Meanwhile the man behind the company who bought the machines has said that some could be put to good use for charity.

Managing Director of KMK Metals Kurt Kyck said that although he plans to scrap and recycle most of the machines, some may get a reprieve - and he's already had plenty of offers.

"There is some sentimental value attached to them," Mr Kyck said.

"I think we might do some charity work with it."