On a point of order, a few minutes ago I missed a division here. The bells rang television screen in the restaurant did not show a votáil sign, and it was assumed by me and some other Deputies that this was the bell for Question Time. Secondly, it is generally assumed here that after 2.30 p.m. Deputies are free to leave the House because there will not be any division in the next hour. Are we setting a precedent now of having divisions during Question Time?

The division was called before 2.30 p.m. The bell rang for Question Time at 2.25 p.m. and at about 2.27 p.m. a member of the Deputy's party's front bench called for a vote. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle was here and, according to the rules, the bells were rung for a division. Because of possible confusion among Deputies the bells went on for almost twenty minutes.

A number of Deputies, including myself, left the precincts of the House when the bells started to ring. We were waiting for them to ring and now we have been caused some embarrassment. It should not be allowed to happen again.

A division is liable to occur up to 2.30 p.m. and this was before that time.

When the bells ring for Question Time and no notice appears on the television screen it is certainly misleading.

The Deputy must agree that any of his party's members has a right to call a division, and this one was called by a colleague of his on the front bench. Would the Deputy wish to differentiate between the bells ringing for Question Time and the bells ringing for a vote?

I am raising the point, Sir, so that you might consider avoiding the difficulty in future. Because of the tight situation in the Dáil it is important.

I cannot stop any of the Deputy's colleagues calling a vote on an amendment.

Maybe you could consider referring the matter to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges so that once the bells go for Question Time a vote cannot be challenged.

I was in the restaurant when the bells rang and I am quite definite that the votail sign appeared on the television screen.

Maybe after several minutes.

The bells were ringing for quite a long time. Certainly it must have been clear that the bells were not ringing for Question Time.

Deputies had left the precincts of the House once the bells started ringing for Question Time.

There is nothing we can do about it. The bells ring for one minute before Question Time and three minutes before divisions.

I have made the point. Perhaps you would consider it.