The Progressive Democrats today called for the introduction of Internet voting in a bid to increase the "alarmingly low" turnout among younger people.
Party chairman Mr John Minihan said the State should invest in technology and introduce the option of voting online.
Mr Minihan said: "Tens of thousands of Irish people are computer literate and they should be given the option of using technology to exercise their democratic right in elections.
"Internet voting would immediately remove any need to travel to vote and would be a very attractive option to younger people, who have an alarmingly low turnout rate in elections.
"Ireland can be at the cutting edge of voting technology if we implement Internet voting, and I am calling on Noel Dempsey to invest in the technology and test it out in a number of constituencies at a future election."
He insisted security concerns could be addressed and added: "Billions of pounds are traded safely every year over the Internet.
"With the huge advances in security software and the allocation of a special e-voting card, it would be possible to maintain the secrecy of the ballot box and the security of the votes."
Last December, the Environment Minister Mr Dempsey, announced plans to develop an electronic voting system to speed up results, improve efficiency and make voting easier.