Seven tenders for e-voting machines

Seven tenders have been received by the Department of the Environment for the purchase of its decommissioned e-voting machines or for their recovery as waste.

Prior to the 4,762 machines going up for tender, Minister for Finance Michael Noonan speculated that there could be a market for the machines in Irish-themed pubs across the world.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan confirmed that the storage cost for the machines over the past four years was €671,370.

The identity of the seven tenderers is not yet known.

Mr Hogan said the process “to agree a contract with a preferred tenderer is expected to be completed shortly”.