In accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders, it is my duty to read to the House the names of the candidates who have been duly nominated in accordance with the Standing Orders. I propose to do so in alphabetical order, and I ask the Seanad kindly to follow that order when they come to vote, because it will materially help the scrutineers in their work.

They are as follows:—

Mr. Robert Donovan, 54 Lansdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Co. Dublin. His qualifications are as follows:— Senator of the National University of Ireland; Governor of University College, Dublin; formerly Secretary to the Dublin Commissioners and Irish Committee (Irish Universities Act, 1908); Commissioner of National Education, Ireland; Chairman of the Executive of the Proportional Representation Society of Ireland; President of the Irish League of Nations Society, and Honorary Member of Dublin Trades Council (1890).

Dr. Patrick McCartan, F.R.C.S.I., 10 Fitzwilliam Square Dublin. His qualifications are as follows:—Member of the Sinn Fein Party; Dublin Corporation, 1908-9; Member of the National Council Sinn Fein, 1905-7; Editor "Irish Freedom," 1905-11; Dublin Correspondent of the "Gaelic American," 1905-11; Envoy to America, 1917-20; Envoy to Moscow, 1920-21; M.P. and T.D. for North Offaly, 1918-23.

George O'Callaghan Westropp, Colonel, Lismehane, O'Callaghan's Mills, Co. Clare. His qualifications are as follows:—Has on numerous occasions received the thanks of Ministers of Dáil Eireann for useful public services. Has special knowledge of Agriculture and National Defence. Is eligible to become a Member of Dáil Eireann.

John O'Neill, Uplands, Delgany, Co. Wicklow. His qualifications are as follows:—Chairman of the All-Ireland Munitions Commission, 1915-1919; Chairman of the Commission to Inquire into Industries and Resources of Ireland, 1919-1921; Member of the Committee on Commercial and Industrial policy for post-war trade (Lord Balfour's Committee), 1916-1917; Member of Economic Relations Commission, 1921; Member of Haulbowline Advisory Committee, 1922-23. Has extensive experience as a Manufacturer, in Engineering and allied trades.

Sir Robert Henry Woods, 39 Merrion Square, Dublin. His qualifications are as follows:—Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Dublin University; Hon. Master of Surgery, Dublin University; Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and ex-President Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and of the Irish Medical Association; one of the Surgeons to Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital; M.P. for Dublin University, 1918-1922; Hon. Fellow American College of Surgeons, and created a Knight in 1913.

The first poll will now be taken, and it will be to reduce the number from five to three. Each Senator is entitled to vote for any number from one to three, but not for more than three.

Are we to vote one, two and three, or by crosses?

You can strike out the names of those you are not voting for.

As there is an instruction on the voting paper to vote by a cross, I think it might be well to keep to it.

If that is on the paper let us follow that.

Should the ballot paper be signed?

The papers, of course, are not to be signed. What I suggest is that in voting you should have regard to the chronological order.

Some of us do not quite understand how we can possibly follow the chronological order unless we vote for the first three.

Supposing the persons you wish to vote for are the last three in chronological order, you will vote for them. If the three you want to vote for happen to be 1, 3 and 5 in chronological order, you will vote for them. What is the difficulty about it? Of course it will not invalidate the paper no matter how you vote so long as you vote for three or less.

The voting papers having been collected,

As a result of the ballot that has just been taken, the three candidates now left in are: Dr. Patrick McCartan, Mr. John O'Neill, and Sir Robert Woods. We shall now proceed to take a vote for two out of three of these.

On a previous occasion, you, sir, gave us the number of votes for the candidates who remained in after the first poll.

I did on request, and if you wish I shall give it to you now.

I make a formal request for that information.

Do you mean all the candidates?

Yes.

I think if we give the count at all it is better to give a count of the entire. Mr. O'Donovan obtained eighteen votes; Dr. McCartan, 26; Colonel O'Callaghan Westropp, 10; Mr. O'Neill, 31, and Sir Robert Woods, 20.

The second Ballot Papers having been scrutinised—

I regret to have to announce that I shall have to take this vote over again, if my information is correct. Fifty-one papers have been handed in; I understand that there are only fifty Senators present, and inasmuch as one vote may decide the question of priority in this case, if the counting of my officials is right and there are only fifty Senators present I must have another vote.

I would point out that Senator Dr. Gogarty handed his vote to Senator Nesbitt, who sat next me, and asked him to hand it in, as he was leaving for a few minutes.

But Senator Gogarty is present.

He was not present when the papers were taken up.

But he is present now, and I cannot make him into two, Senator.

Would it not be more regular to call the roll?

I think it would be wiser under the circumstances.

How many papers were handed in on the first poll?

Fifty.

Senator Dr. Barniville came in after the first.

Oh, but he voted.

He voted on the second poll but not on the first.

I can only act on the information supplied to me. My officials tell me that there are only fifty Senators present. Call the Roll.

Do the laws in respect of personation apply in this case?

I will tell you that when I find out about this paper.

The Roll having been called,

The calling of the roll shows that fifty-one Senators are present. Accordingly I declare the results of the last poll to be as follows: Dr. Patrick McCartan, 29 votes; Mr. John O'Neill, 30 votes; and Sir Robert Woods, 19 votes, so that the next poll must be between Dr. Patrick McCartan and Mr. John O'Neill.

The third ballot papers having been scrutinised.

The result of the final vote is as follows:—

I have accordingly to declare Mr. O'Neill duly elected as Senator to fill the vacancy.