The establishment of a digital chamber

Mr Marc Bosc (Canada) emphasizing the rapidity of technological obsolescence, asked about the estimate for modernization or replacing of the equipment. He wondered, on the basis of what Mr STANESCU had said, about the problem of Members who moved around the Chamber and who therefore were no longer in contact with the device placed under their seat. He asked about the length of time of the “window” during which Members of Parliament could vote. What happened if Members of Parliament were not in the Hemicycle?
Mr Manuel Alba Navarro (Spain) thought that it was always possible to install digital equipment in a building, even an old one, and that the matter was basically one of political will.
He put a series of questions: were all records of decisions kept digitally; could Members of Parliament still move motions on the basis of paper; could a Member of Parliament have access to his personal computer from his information station; and could Members of Parliament bring their own computers into sittings and use them?
Mr Won-Jong Sang answering Mr Marc BOSC first, said that the Chamber was very aware of problems linked to the speed of technological obsolescence but he thought that taking into account the inbuilt conservatism of Parliaments that there would be no basic changes to bring into effect in the short term.
Whenever a Bill was put to the vote, the devices under the seats of Members allowed the Speaker to know whether a quorum was present or not.
In response to the questions from Mr Manuel Alba Navarro, he said that the information system allowed immediate publication of all documents. In order to strengthen public interest in parliamentary debates, these were broadcast.
Members of Parliament who suffered from physical handicap (for example, those who were blind) could use specially adapted equipment. Naturally, it remained possible to use paper for contributions but these contributions would be circulated digitally.