I understand Deputy Corish wishes to make a statement on the ringing of the division bell to-day.
Business of Dáil.
I should like to refer briefly to the matter. I should like to comment on the manner in which the division bell was rung and to the time of calling the division on the Fisheries Estimate. At about three or four minutes to three o'clock the Dáil bell rang and I, as well as some of my colleagues, thought it was the assembly bell for the taking of questions. We were not told a division was taking place. I think, therefore, there should be something to distinguish between the assembly bell for the taking of questions and the division bell. It was unfortunate that the division took place at that particular time and I should like to make my own personal explanation. I wanted to take part in the division but unwittingly I did not. I think this House, or whoever is responsible, should try to ensure that the same confusion will not arise in the future.
Deputy Corish is probably aware that division bells are normally rung for a period of not less than three minutes. To-day, as the division was called some few minutes before the time set for the taking of questions, the division bells were rung for a period a little longer than three minutes in order to prevent any confusion in the minds of Deputies who might be expecting the bells for questions. The procedure to indicate the taking of questions is that the bells are rung for a very short period— between a quarter and half a minute. That is done at the request of the Committee of Procedure and Privileges. The Chair feels that there should have been no confusion to-day as the bells were rung in the normal manner to indicate a division.
I might mention that coupled with this, the Seanad bell and a few telephones were ringing at the same time.
This House has no control over the ringing of Seanad bells. We are responsible only for the bells in this House.
I should like to express agreement with Deputy Corish that there was considerable confusion about the division bell to-day.