I wish to draw your attention, A Chinn Comhairle, to the fact that in the last division I inadvertently voted in the wrong lobby. I wished to vote against the Bill, whereas I accidentally voted for it. Can I have that vote changed or rectified in any way?
PUBLIC SAFETY BILL, 1927. - DEPUTY'S VOTE.
It was an inspiration.
In order to get the vote changed, the Deputy should have called my attention to the matter before the result of the division was declared.
I called the attention of the Tellers and of the Clerk of the Dáil to it.
The Tellers returned the voting as 50 for the motion and 25 against. I am bound by that result. If, before the result had been declared, the Deputy had drawn my attention to his mistake, the figures might have been changed. It is too late now to make any rectification. The Deputy has, however, made his position clear. He has explained that he voted wrongly, but he cannot now change his vote.
He voted quite rightly.
Why not have another division?
I am not quite satisfied, but I have to accept your ruling, A Chinn Comhairle. Can I be recorded in the Imeachta as objecting to the result?
No. The statement of the Deputy will be recorded in the Debates, but the division list must remain as it was handed to me.
Perhaps the President will introduce a Bill to rectify the position.
Deputy Belton gave notice that he would raise a matter on the adjournment, but he has decided to postpone doing so.
I move that the Dáil adjourn until August 12th, at 2 o'clock.
The Dáil adjourned at 4.25 p.m. until Friday, August 12, at 2 p.m.