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Chair

The Ceann Comhairle is the chairperson (or ‘cathaoirleach’) of the Dáil but the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and others may deputise for the Ceann Comhairle.

Ceann Comhairle

The Ceann Comhairle is elected by the Dáil from among its Members to preside over its sittings. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the Dáil. He or she is responsible for interpreting and applying the Standing Orders of the House and the various rules of procedure, and his or her rulings should not be challenged.

The Ceann Comhairle presides over parliamentary business, calling on Members to speak, maintaining order, putting the questions on which the House must decide and conducting and declaring the result of any division.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle acts as a deputy to the Ceann Comhairle. The Ceann Comhairle also nominates a panel of at least five Members, drawn from all sides of the House, to act as temporary cathaoirligh as and when requested. 

If the Ceann Comhairle wishes to be a Member of the next Dáil, he or she is automatically deemed re-elected as a Member at the general election. However, when the new Dáil convenes, it is a matter for the Dáil itself to decide who will be elected as Ceann Comhairle. This is the first matter to be decided in each new Dáil following the reading by the Clerk of the Dáil of the list of Members elected.

Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is also elected by the Dáil from its Members. In the case of the unavoidable absence of the Ceann Comhairle, or if there is a vacancy in the office of Ceann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle performs the duties of the Ceann Comhairle.

Unlike the Ceann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is not automatically deemed re-elected to the next Dáil. As a result, he or she will continue to act in the normal representative capacity and may contribute to and vote on matters when not in the chair.

Since 2016, both the Ceann Comhairle and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle have been selected by secret ballot when there is more than one candidate for the position, as this minimises the possibility of the House having to divide on the question of who should chair the Dáil.

Cathaoirleach Gníomhach (Acting Chair)

Standing Orders indicate that the Ceann Comhairle shall nominate, as soon as may be following the reassembly of the Dáil subsequent to a general election, a panel of not fewer than five members, any one of who may act as temporary cathaoirleach in the Dáil or in committee of the whole Dáil when requested to do so by the Ceann Comhairle.  By convention, members of the Government and Ministers of State may not be members of this panel.

Contact an expert

Office of the Ceann Comhairle

 

Ceann.Comhairle@oireachtas.ie

Last updated: Fri, 29 Nov 2024

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