Dail to test electronic voting
TDs will this evening use the new electronic voting system for the first time in Leinster House.
The set-up is being brought in to replace the outdated and time-consuming manual counting of votes.
The new computerised system cost €635,000 to implement and is part of a general overhaul of operational procedures in the Dáil.
For tonight’s test, each TD will be assigned a seat with a green button marked 'Tá' and a red button labelled 'Níl'.
The results of the vote, which this evening is on the issue of whether Dublin should have two GAA teams, will then be displayed on a large screen for all deputies to view.
Up until now, TDs had to walk past tellers who counted votes and take up to a half an hour of Dáil time.
If tonight’s test is successful, the new equipment should become fully effective during the next Government term.
