The Fine Gael leader has called for a serious examination into using the Internet to collect votes in elections.
Only days after Fine Gael questioned the security of the Government's new €40 million electronic voting system, Mr Enda Kenny circulated a speech last night in which he said that use of the Internet could be used to encourage younger people to exercise their right to vote.
His speech, to be delivered this evening in Galway, comes despite concerns raised last week by the party's environment spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen, about the risk of interference in electronic polls from defective technology and systems failure.
Noting that over 33 per cent of households had Internet access, Mr Kenny said the technology was used most by young people, who were less inclined to vote. "Of course, there are risks associated with Internet voting, issues of security and equality of access, but we must show greater urgency in looking at ideas like this if we are not to lose a generation of potential voters."
