| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Oireachtas / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Dáil Éireann / House of Representatives |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Seanad Éireann - Senate / Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Chairman of Dail Eireann (An Ceann Comhairle) |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, removal by resolution of the House, dissolution of the House |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the Assembly
-election is held the first day of the first meeting after general elections, after the validation of mandates and after Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the Assembly may be a candidate. Members' candidature is publicly proposed to the Clerk by way of oral motion, at the first meeting of the Dail |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by public ballot
- simple majority of the votes is required
- additional candidates can be proposed at any stage if several rounds are held |
| Procedures / results |
- the Clerk presides over the Assembly during the voting
- two tellers supervise the voting
- the Clerk announces the results immediately after the division paper for that vote has been signed by the tellers and handed to him/her
- there is no provision for challenging the result |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third after the Head of State and the Chief Justice (in the absence or temporary/permanent incapacity of the Head of State, a Commission composed of the Chief Justice, the President of Dail Eireann and the President of Seanad Eireann shall perform his/her duties).
- there is no formal order of precedence between Presidents of both Houses
- the President of Dail Eireann usually presides over joint sittings of both Chambers but this is a matter for co-decision by both Chambers
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is an ex officio member of various bodies such as the Presidential Commission, the Council of State (according to the Constitution), the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the Commission on Public Service Appointments, the Appeal Board related to the Registration of Political Parties, the Appeal Board for appeals on decisions of the Seanad Returning Officer on registration of nominating bodies for Seanad elections, and the Deeds of Bravery Council (according to Statute law).
- represents the Assembly in international bodies such as the Irish Parliamentary Association
- is ex officio President of the Dail Committee on Procedure and Privileges
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Chairman (Leas-Cheann Comhairle) or a Member appointed by the Dail can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary of £ 32,700 as a Member of Dail Eireann and an office holder salary of £ 38,643
- official car with two drivers member of the State police force
- secretariat |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- may convene sessions at the request of the Prime Minister
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry,
The House:
- organizes the debates
- sets speaking time
- proposes or decides on the setting up of committees and/ or committees of enquiry |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open sittings and, in case of gross disorder, can suspend or adjourn sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures (e.g. withdrawal of a Member for the rest of a day, asking the Dail to suspend a Member, suspension or adjournment of sittings) in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- gives and withdraws permission to speak to ensure a balance debate is achieved
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up, in accordance with the Standing Orders
- decides how a vote is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum upon request from a Member
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly |
| Special powers |
- makes recommendations for establishing the House's budget, as Chairman of the Dail Committee on Procedures and Privileges
- the Clerk and the Assistant Clerk have power to recruit, assign and promote staff, in agreement with the President of the Dail
- the Prime Minister appoints the Clerk, on the recommendation of the President of the Dail and the Minister for Finance
- is consulted in the organization of the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting only in the event of equality of votes (casting vote)
- ensures the constitutionality of laws through his/her participation in the Council of State which is to be consulted by the Head of State before referring any bill to the Supreme Court
- can appoint members of extra-parliamentary bodies as a Member of the Local Appointments Commission |
