Fine Gael has criticised the Department of Environment over its handling of the cost of storing e-voting machines.
This follows the release of figures showing a wide variance between counties in the cost of storing the machines - which have been rendered useless since the the e-voting system was aborted.
Figures drawn up by the Department of the Environment show that it costs more than €50,000 a year to store 195 machines in Co Waterford, an average of €260 for each machine. Elsewhere the average bill for storing an e-voting machine is just over €62 a year.
Fine Gael deputy finance spokesman Mr Paul McGrath claimed the problem was indicative of a department with "no financial control, no sense of duty to taxpayers and a constant refusal to be straight with the people until it is pestered for information".
"Taxpayers are paying exorbitant rates for the storage of useless electronic voting machines thanks to a complete lack of direction on behalf of the Department," said Mr McGrath.
He called for greater scrutiny of returning officers, who are responsible for spending financial advances from the Department of Finance.
"People across Ireland this morning have woken up to the news that a returning officer has billed the State for tens of thousands of euro for the storage of these machines.
"Clearly the Department has learned nothing from the Quigley Report and its remarks relating to the perception of impropriety," said Mr McGrath.
He said the issues raised serious questions about the application of standards and ethics in public office legislation to officials such as returning officers and county sheriffs.