The Houses of the Oireachtas Service is the parliamentary administration which provides advice and support services to:
- The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission
- The Houses of the Oireachtas (Dáil and Seanad) and their Committees
- Members (Deputies and Senators) of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The Service is staffed by approximately 650 full-time equivalent general, professional and technical civil servants. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission acts as the governing body of the Service.
Houses of the Oireachtas Service Organisation Chart
This chart shows the key functions and sections within the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.
PETER FINNEGAN
Clerk of Dáil Éireann
The Clerk of Dáil Éireann's responsibilities include:
- managing the Houses of the Oireachtas Service
- implementing and monitoring Houses of the Oireachtas Commission policies regarding the Service
- delivering outputs as determined by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.
The Clerk of the Dáil is assisted in this regard by the Deputy Secretary General, Michael Errity, and several Assistant Secretaries.
The Seanad Office
The primary role of the Seanad Office is to support the sittings and business of the Seanad. The Seanad Office assists the Clerk of the Seanad in discharging his duties under Standing Orders and in law. It is also the Secretariat for a number of Seanad committees, including the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and the Seanad Public Consultation Committee.
MARTIN GROVES
Clerk of Seanad Éireann
The Clerk of the Seanad provides advice on parliamentary procedure and practice to the Cathaoirleach and to all members of Seanad Éireann. The Clerk is supported in this role by the Clerk Assistant and the Seanad Office. The Clerk of the Seanad is the Returning Officer for Seanad elections and is also a member of a number of statutory commissions.
Legislation
The roles, functions, and responsibilities of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and the Service are set out in the following legislation.
- Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2018
- Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Act 2015
- Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2015
- Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013
- Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012
- Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2009
- Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003
- Staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Act 1959
EDI
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Find out about what we are doing to promote a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion and put it at the heart of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.
Working group on parliamentary privilege and citizens’ rights
A working group of parliamentary officials has been set up to review the Houses of the Oireachtas procedures and ensure that the rights of citizens are respected throughout the parliamentary process.
Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers
The Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers (OPLA) is the in-house legal team of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It provides specialist, non-partisan legal advice to Parliament, its Members and staff.
Rannóg an Aistriúcháin
Rannóg an Aistriúcháin (the Translation Section) provides translation services for the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Parliamentary Budget Office
The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) provides independent and impartial information, analysis and advice to the Houses of the Oireachtas.
L&RS
Library & Research Service
The Library & Research Service (L&RS) provides information and research services to Members of the Oireachtas. The L&RS manages the collection of documents formally laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Careers
Careers
Want to work for the Houses of the Oireachtas? Find out about jobs and recruitment.
Regulation of Lobbying Act
Certain public servants employed by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service are prescribed as designated public officials for the purposes of section 6(1)(f) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
An Caighdeán Oifigiúil
An Caighdeán Oifigiúil is the Oireachtas Service’s official standard for writing in the Irish language. It’s a useful guide for anyone writing in Irish, whether for official State publications or other fields.
TV CHANNEL
Watch us on TV
Our TV channel broadcasts 24 hours a day to Irish homes via Saorview, Sky, Virgin Media, eir Vision and Vodafone