Taoiseach to face Dáil questions over e-voting fiasco

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is expected to face tough questions from the opposition today over the Government’s decision to scrap its electronic voting plans.

The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition had insisted that electronic voting would be introduced nationwide during the local and European elections on June 11.

However, it was forced into an embarrassing u-turn last week after the independent Electronic Voting Commission said the system was open to interference and its accuracy could not be guaranteed.

The matter is expected to be raised during leader’s questions in the Dáil today, and the opposition parties are expected to reiterate their call for Environment Minister Martin Cullen to resign over his handling of the fiasco.