Electronic Voting
Bill debated in Dáil
Opposition parties have criticised the length of time they are being given to examine the Electoral (Amendment) Bill which was published this morning.
The Bill legalises the use of electronic voting and the Government wants it enacted to allow the system to be used in the local and European elections in June.
This morning in the Dáil, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party claimed there was a problem with the provisions on voter identification prior to the casting of votes at polling booths.
The Tánaiste, Mary Harney, said if there was a difficulty, the rules could be amended.
Fine Gael's Bernard Allen sought an assurance that the second stage debate on the legislation would not be guillotined next week, claiming there were 'conflicting signals' coming from the Government on this.
Ms Harney confirmed that the second stage would not be completed next week.
Harney accuses Gilmore of 'scare stories'
Labour's Eamon Gilmore criticised the fact that the Bill was being introduced by the Fianna Fáil Director of Elections, and that it would change the way people vote at polling stations.
Ms Harney accused him of trying to introduce 'scare stories', and said the minister was acting on behalf of the Government in this matter.
Mr Gilmore also claimed there was not enough time to examine the Bill before it is debated next Wednesday, but the Tánaiste said she thought there was enough time.
Mr Gilmore said that Ms Harney was allowing Fianna Fáil to 'turn this country into a banana Republic'.
