E-voting plan continues despite Dáil system failure

THE electronic voting system in Dáil Éireann failed after being infected by a computer virus this year, it emerged yesterday, prompting fears over the security of the nationwide system for next year's elections.

Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon has confirmed the Dáil system failed in February due to a computer virus despite not being connected to either phone or internet lines.

Responding to queries from Fine Gael environment spokesman Bernard Allen, Dr O'Hanlon said it is believed the virus entered via a connection to the Oireachtas IT network.

"Since that incident remedial measures have been taken to prevent this happening again," he said.

But Deputy Allen says that if the Government can't get electronic voting right in a small closed system involving just the votes of 166 TDs, then the public cannot have confidence in the ability to provide a secure system for a national election.

According to Minister Cullen's spokesperson, the Department of the Environment has invested in expertise and the system is completely secure.

Already a watchdog committee of TDs and Senators has urged Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen not to spend any more money on the roll-out of the system nationally for the local and European elections until outstanding concerns are addressed.

The Oireachtas Committee on the Environment is currently investigating the electronic voting system and has called on the minister to halt further expenditure until proceedings are concluded and it has issued findings.

Electronic voting will be extended country-wide for the local elections, after the minister said it was successfully tested in the general election and Nice referendum of 2002. Next year, the minister will spend €4.5 million publicising the use of the system.

Yet Deputy Allen said that as Minister Cullen is the Fianna Fáil Director of Elections next June, the Department of the Environment is not the appropriate body to introduce electronic voting and an Independent Electoral Commission should have been set up to manage the changeover to electronic voting.

"It wouldn't happen in any other democracy in the world that the organisation of the elections is in the hands of the manager of a political party's campaign," he said.

Accusing the Government of rushing headlong to introduce electronic voting for next year's local and European elections, he said there are ongoing concerns regarding the security of the system and there has been a lack of consultation with the parties involved in the electoral process, and more importantly, with the public.

"One thing that I am certain of is that this Government is untrustworthy, so therefore I am insisting on full transparency and full information on this issue," he said.