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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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The Ceann Comhairle is expected to observe strict impartiality. Despite this, a government usually tries to select a member of its own political party for the position, if it has enough deputies to allow that choice. In order to protect the neutrality of the chair, the [[Constitution of Ireland]] provides that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle does not seek re-election as a [[Teachta Dála]] (Deputy to the Dáil) but rather is deemed automatically to have been re-elected by their constituency at a general election, unless they are retiring.<ref>Article 16.6 of the constitution requires that "provision shall be made by law" such that the Ceann Comhairle "be deemed without any actual election to be elected a member of Dáil Éireann". The current law making such provision is the Electoral Act, 1992 [http://acts.oireachtas.ie/zza23y1992.1.html].</ref> As a consequence, the constituency that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle theoretically represents |
The Ceann Comhairle is expected to observe strict impartiality. Despite this, a government usually tries to select a member of its own political party for the position, if it has enough deputies to allow that choice. In order to protect the neutrality of the chair, the [[Constitution of Ireland]] provides that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle does not seek re-election as a [[Teachta Dála]] (Deputy to the Dáil) but rather is deemed automatically to have been re-elected by their constituency at a general election, unless they are retiring.<ref>Article 16.6 of the constitution requires that "provision shall be made by law" such that the Ceann Comhairle "be deemed without any actual election to be elected a member of Dáil Éireann". The current law making such provision is the Electoral Act, 1992 [http://acts.oireachtas.ie/zza23y1992.1.html].</ref> As a consequence, the constituency that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle theoretically represents, elects one fewer TD in a general election than its usual entitlement, but still has the same number of TDs. |
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The Ceann Comhairle does not vote except in the event of a tie. In this event he generally votes in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the British House of Commons]]. The Ceann Comhairle formally opens each day's sitting by reading the official prayer. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house and has a number of special functions. Specifically, the Ceann Comhairle: |
The Ceann Comhairle does not vote except in the event of a tie. In this event he generally votes in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the British House of Commons]]. The Ceann Comhairle formally opens each day's sitting by reading the official prayer. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house and has a number of special functions. Specifically, the Ceann Comhairle: |
Revision as of 18:03, 9 February 2011
Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann | |
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since 13 October 2009 | |
Appointer | Elected by the members of Dáil Éireann at start of a new term after a general election. |
Term length | No term limits are imposed on the office. |
Inaugural holder | Cathal Brugha |
Formation | 21 January 1919 |
Website | Official website |
The Ceann Comhairle (Irish pronunciation: [kʲaːn̪ˠ ˈkoːrʎə], "head of the council") is the chairman[1] (or speaker)[1] of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of Ireland. The person who holds the position is elected by members of the Dáil from among their number in the first session after each general election. The current Ceann Comhairle is Séamus Kirk, TD. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Chairman) is Brendan Howlin, TD.
Overview
The Ceann Comhairle is expected to observe strict impartiality. Despite this, a government usually tries to select a member of its own political party for the position, if it has enough deputies to allow that choice. In order to protect the neutrality of the chair, the Constitution of Ireland provides that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle does not seek re-election as a Teachta Dála (Deputy to the Dáil) but rather is deemed automatically to have been re-elected by their constituency at a general election, unless they are retiring.[2] As a consequence, the constituency that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle theoretically represents, elects one fewer TD in a general election than its usual entitlement, but still has the same number of TDs.
The Ceann Comhairle does not vote except in the event of a tie. In this event he generally votes in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the Speaker of the British House of Commons. The Ceann Comhairle formally opens each day's sitting by reading the official prayer. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house and has a number of special functions. Specifically, the Ceann Comhairle:
- Calls on members to speak. All speeches must be addressed to the Ceann Comhairle.
- Puts such questions to the house and supervises and declares the results of divisions.
- Has authority to suppress disorder. To ensure obedience to his rulings the Ceann Comhairle may order members to withdraw from the Dáil or suspend an individual from the House for a period. In the case of great disorder the Ceann Comhairle can suspend or adjourn the house.
- Rings a bell[3] when deputies are out of order.
History
The position of Ceann Comhairle is as old as the Dáil, which was first established in 1919.[4] The first Ceann Comhairle was Cathal Brugha, who served for only one day, presiding over the house's symbolic first meeting, before leaving the post to become Príomh Aire (prime minister). The office was continued under the 1922–1937 Irish Free State, the constitution of which referred to the office-holder as the "Chairman of Dáil Éireann". The practice of automatically re-electing the Ceann Comhairle in a general election was introduced by a constitutional amendment in 1927. For a brief period from 1936 to 1937, following the abolition of the office of Governor-General, certain of the Governor-General's functions were transferred to the Ceann Comhairle, who was assigned the role of signing bills into law and convening and dissolving the Dáil. The position of Ceann Comhairle was retained when the Constitution of Ireland was adopted in 1937, as was the practice of automatic re-election.
List of office-holders
No. | Name | Entered Office | Left Office | Party | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Cathal Brugha | 21 January 1919 | 22 January 1919 | style="background-color: Template:Sinn Féin/meta/color" | | Sinn Féin |
2. | Count Plunkett[5] | 22 January 1919 | 22 January 1919 | style="background-color: Template:Sinn Féin/meta/color" | | Sinn Féin |
3. | Seán T. O'Kelly | 22 January 1919 | 16 August 1921 | style="background-color: Template:Sinn Féin/meta/color" | | Sinn Féin |
4. | Eoin MacNeill | 16 August 1921 | 9 September 1922 | style="background-color: Template:Cumann na nGaedheal/meta/color" | | (Pro-Treaty) Sinn Féin |
5. | Michael Hayes | 8 September 1922 | 9 March 1932 | style="background-color: Template:Cumann na nGaedheal/meta/color" | | Cumann na nGaedheal |
6. | Frank Fahy | 9 March 1932 | 13 June 1951 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
7. | Patrick Hogan | 13 June 1951 | 14 November 1967 | style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (Ireland)/meta/color" | | Labour Party |
8. | Cormac Breslin | 14 November 1967 | 14 March 1973 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
9. | Seán Treacy (1st time) | 14 March 1973 | 5 July 1977 | style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (Ireland)/meta/color" | | Labour Party |
10. | Joseph Brennan | 5 July 1977 | 13 July 1980 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
11. | Pádraig Faulkner | 15 October 1980 | 30 June 1981 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
12. | John O'Connell | 30 June 1981 | 14 December 1982 | style="background-color: Template:Independent (politician)/meta/color" | | Independent |
13. | Tom Fitzpatrick | 14 December 1982 | 10 March 1987 | style="background-color: Template:Fine Gael/meta/color" | | Fine Gael |
Seán Treacy (2nd time) | 10 March 1987 | 26 June 1997 | style="background-color: Template:Independent (politician)/meta/color" | | Independent | |
14. | Séamus Pattison | 26 June 1997 | 6 June 2002 | style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (Ireland)/meta/color" | | Labour Party |
15. | Rory O'Hanlon | 6 June 2002 | 14 June 2007 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
16. | John O'Donoghue | 14 June 2007 | 13 October 2009 | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
17. | Séamus Kirk | 13 October 2009 | Incumbent | style="background-color: Template:Fianna Fáil/meta/color" | | Fianna Fáil |
See also
- Cathaoirleach
- Politics of the Republic of Ireland
- History of the Republic of Ireland
- Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic)
- Dáil Éireann (Irish Free State)
- Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly (known as Ceann Comhairle in the Irish language)
References
- ^ a b "Role of the Ceann Comhairle". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
- ^ Article 16.6 of the constitution requires that "provision shall be made by law" such that the Ceann Comhairle "be deemed without any actual election to be elected a member of Dáil Éireann". The current law making such provision is the Electoral Act, 1992 [1].
- ^ The bell is a half-sized reproduction of the ancient bell of Lough Lene Castle, presented to Dáil Éireann in 1931 by the widow of a former member of the House, Bryan Cooper. The original bell was found at Castle Island, Lough Lene, Castlepollard, County Westmeath in 1881 and is now in the National Museum.
- ^ "An Ceann Comhairle – History". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Count Plunkett briefly chaired the Dáil on 22 January 1919. Seán T. O'Kelly was elected Ceann Comhairle later in the same day.