IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

A lack of public confidence in e-voting means that the Government may be forced into writing off its EUR50 million investment in electronic ballot systems.

According to a report in the Irish Times, Michael Noonan, chairman of the Dail Public Accounts Committee, said that he doubted whether the current system would ever be introduced following the debacle last year where plans to initiate e-voting were scrapped over security concerns.

Read more: Ireland faces EUR50m e-voting write-off

Irish exporters involved in agri-business will be able to more quickly get a hold of millions of euro in EU refunds over the next year, thanks to a new system. That's according to the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), which said on Friday that the new Common Agricultural Policy/Direct Trader Input (CAP DTI) e-government system would eliminate much of the complicated paperwork that comes with exporting agricultural products in Europe. Under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Irish exporters are expected to receive EUR300 million in refunds which in the past would have taken months to process.

Read more: Ireland: E-gov system delivers EUR300m to exporters

At a ceremony in Dublin on Thursday, six Irish public sector bodies were recognised for their outstanding work in e-government over the last year.

The Eircom-sponsored event, called the "Innovation Through Technology Awards," was run by Inside Government magazine, a publication that caters to civil servants and public sector employees. The event marked the first year of awards and included a keynote address from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and closing remarks from Eircom CEO Dr. Philip Nolan.

Read more: Ireland: Kerry County Council wins top e-gov award

Donegal, Kildare and Monaghan County Councils have been shortlisted for the Local Government category in the annual e-Government awards to be announced early in the New Year.

Read more: Ireland: Three councils make e-Government awards nominations