A division, or formal vote, is signalled by the ringing of division bells. There are set time limits within which Members must be in the Chamber before its doors are locked.
Time limits for arrival to Chamber
Voting
When a vote is called, the division bells are rung and the doors are subsequently locked after the intervals indicated in the table below.
Initial vote
| Manual voting | Electronic voting | |
| Bells ring for: | 4 minutes | 4 minutes |
| Further period after which doors are locked: | 4 minutes | 4 minutes |
| Overall notice: | 8 minutes | 8 minutes |
Vote that immediately follows a previous vote
| Manual voting | Electronic voting | |
| Bells ring for: | 2 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Further period after which doors are locked: | 1 minute | 1 minute |
| Overall notice: | 3 minutes | 3 minutes |
During the time from the ringing of the division bells to the locking of the doors, each side of the House - those for and against the question - appoints two tellers. If one side is unable or refuses to appoint tellers, the Chair declares the result in favour of the other side. Tellers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of the result.
Minimum number of Members required for a vote to proceed
After the doors of the Chamber have been locked, the Chair rises and puts the question to the House again.
A minimum of five Members are required for a vote to proceed. If it appears to the Chair that the number of Members calling for a division may be fewer than five, he or she will ask the Senators to rise in their places. If there are five or more, the division will proceed.
If there are fewer than five Senators claiming the division, the names of the Members who have risen are entered in the Journal of Proceedings, no division takes place and the Cathaoirleach declares the result of the question put.
When the result of a vote has been declared, the doors of the Chamber are reopened.
Last Updated: Thu, 5 Dec 2024