How do I vote?

Electronic voting

Divisions in the Dáil are generally conducted using the electronic voting system. Members will be provided with a designated seat for the purpose of electronic voting by the Whip of their party or group.

Upon hearing the vote bell, Members should make their way directly to the Chamber and to their designated seats. The doors to the Chamber will be locked before the vote takes place.

Time limits

There are set time limits within which Members must be in the Chamber in order to vote. For the first vote the bells will ring for 6 minutes and the doors will be locked after a further 4 minutes. Subsequent votes may be shorter, with bells ringing for 2 minutes and the doors locked after a further minute.

The Chair will stand and put the question to the House. Members will then have 1 minute to vote during which time they may change their vote but cannot undo their vote after this time.

Voting process

Members press either the green (Tá) or red (Níl) button in the wooden panel at their designated seat or, if the designated seat is in the front row, in the seat’s armrest. Members also have the option of registering an abstention by pressing the abstain (Staon) button in the panel.

Pressing any button switches on a light in the two voting display television screens on either side of the Ceann Comhairle’s chair and Members can see the vote registered in this way.

If Members encounter any problem voting this should be raised with the tellers before they sign the result sheet. Otherwise, Members remain in their seats until the result of the division has been announced by the Chair.

Manual voting

Divisions on the election of the Ceann Comhairle, nomination of the Taoiseach and members of the Government and motions of confidence in the Government are held manually. Voting at the start of a new Dáil is also held manually until seats in the Chamber have been designated.

If a manual vote is called, Members should remain in their designated seat until the Chair puts the question.

The Clerk of the Dáil will call each Deputy's name, whereupon her or she may answer Tá, Níl or Staon in order to have the correct vote registered.