Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Connolly. That concludes the contributions from the candidates. As Members have already been provided with ballot papers, they should not leave the auditorium until after the votes have been cast. We will now proceed to the secret ballot.

I will now go through a number of instructions relating to the ballot. The ballot will be counted under the proportional representation, single-transferable vote system. Accordingly, Members may number the candidates in the order of their choice. If a Member inadvertently spoils his or her ballot paper, it should be presented to me. I will inspect the ballot paper and may decide to allow a replacement to be issued. In such cases, I will retain the original ballot paper and issue a certificate in order that another ballot paper can be issued by the officials at the doors.

Members will have ten minutes in which to mark their ballot papers in their seats. After the ten minutes have elapsed, the ushers will direct Members to cast their votes in the ballot boxes provided. Members may leave the auditorium when they have cast their vote. The poll will remain open until 10.15 a.m. When the poll has closed, the ballot boxes will be removed from the auditorium and kept in a secure location. They will be brought to the count centre in the foyer on level 4, where the count will take place today at 2 p.m. Members will now have ten minutes in which to mark their ballot papers at their seats.

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