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Functions, powers and remit of committees

Departmental (or sectoral) committees are typically established to consider matters of expenditure, administration and policy connected with Government and associated public bodies and agencies.

The proceedings of joint committees are governed by the same rules that apply to the Dáil and, where appropriate, the Seanad. Rules that apply to joint committees also apply to their sub-committees.

Standing committees

The following committees automatically stand established under Standing Orders and their Orders of Reference are contained in Standing Orders as follows:

Departmental select (sectoral) committees

The powers and functions given to departmental, or sectoral, committees are contained in the Standing Orders of both Houses.

The scope of committee activities are set out in out in Dáil Standing Order 102 and Seanad Standing Order 78. The functions of these commitees are set out in Dáil Standing Order 103 and Seanad Standing Order 79. The powers of committees are set out in Dáil Standing Order 104 and Seanad Standing Order 79.

For the Thirty-Fourth Dáil and Twenty-seventh Seanad, the composite establishment motions for these committees are set out as follows:

Thematic committees

These joint committees are not contained in Standing Orders and must be set up in each Dáil.

  • Committee on European Union Affairs
  • Committee on Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
  • Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community
  • Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery

The orders of reference for the above committees are set out in Appendix 2 of the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform of 29 April 2025 and and in Appendix 2 of the First Report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight on Orders of Reference and Establishment of Committees of 30 April 2025.

Special committees

These committees are time-limited and deal with a single theme.

  • Committee on Drugs Use
  • Committee on Artificial Intelligence

Their orders of reference are set out in Appendix 3 of the Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform of 29 April 2025 and and in Appendix 3 of the First Report of the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight on Orders of Reference and Establishment of Committees of 30 April 2025.

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