Manual votes

Divisions in the Seanad are generally held electronically. One exception is the election of the Cathaoirleach, which is held manually, with the names of Members voting recorded as they walk through the lobbies.

Voting process

If a manual vote is called, Members remain in their designated seats until the Chair puts the question and the tellers take up their positions in the Tá and Níl lobbies. 

When the Chair has announced that the division will proceed, Members leave their seats, proceed by way of the middle aisle and pass through the lobbies, returning to their seats by the side aisles. Their names are recorded by the clerks as they pass through the lobbies.

When all of the Members have passed through, the clerks, scrutinised by the tellers, count the names recorded for and against the question. The results are entered on the tellers’ sheet. The tellers sign the sheet and present it to the Chair who rises and declares the result.