The Ceann Comhairle¹ is the chairman or speaker of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic 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 Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, TD, Deputy for Cavan-Monaghan. A chairman is the presiding officer of a meeting, organization, committee, or other deliberative body. ... The term Speaker is usually the title given to the presiding officer of a countrys lower house of parliament or congress (i. ... The Dáil Chamber Dáil Éireann is the lower house of the Oireachtas (parliament) of the Republic of Ireland. ... The Oireachtas is the National Parliament of the Republic of Ireland. ... Dr. Rory OHanlon (born 7 February 1934), Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. ... Cavan-Monaghan is a constituency used in elections to Dáil Éireann, the lower house of parliament in the Republic of Ireland. ...

Overview

The Ceann Comhairle is expected to observe strict impartiality. Despite this, a government usually tries to select one of its own for the position, if its numbers allow. In order to protect the neutrality of the chair, the Irish constitution provides that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle does not seek re-election as a TD (member of the Dáil) but rather is deemed automatically to have been re-elected by their constitutuency at a general election, unless they are retiring². As a consequence, the constituency that an incumbent Ceann Comhairle theoretically represents returns one less TD in a general election than its usual entitlement. The Ceann Comhairle does not vote except in the event of a tie. In this event they generally vote in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the Speaker of the British House of Commons. The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house and has a number of special functions. Specifically, the Ceann Comhairle The Constitution of Ireland is the founding legal document of the state known today as the Republic of Ireland. ... A TD or Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas (pronounced orr-och-tas) or National Parliament. ... In the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, and is seen historically as the First Commoner of the Land. ...

• 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.

History

The position of Ceann Comhairle is as old as the Dáil, which was first established as an extra-legal parliament in 1919. 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. 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Cathal Brugha Cathal Brugha (Charles William St John Burgess) (July 18, 1874-July 7, 1922) was an Irish revolutionary, born in Dublin, Ireland of mixed Irish Catholic and English Protestant parentage, who was active in the Easter Rising and the Irish Civil War. ... The head of government under the Dáil Constitution adopted by the First Dáil of the Irish Republic in January 1919. ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Irish Free State (Irish: Saorstát Éireann) was (1922–1937) the name of the state comprising the 26 of Irelands 32 counties which were separated from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland under the Irish Free State Agreement (or Anglo-Irish Treaty) signed by British and... 1927 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Governor-General (Irish: Seanascal) was the representative of the King in the 1922–1937 Irish Free State. ... The Constitution of Ireland is the founding legal document of the state known today as the Republic of Ireland. ...

List of office-holders

Cathal Brugha Cathal Brugha (Charles William St John Burgess) (July 18, 1874-July 7, 1922) was an Irish revolutionary, born in Dublin, Ireland of mixed Irish Catholic and English Protestant parentage, who was active in the Easter Rising and the Irish Civil War. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The name Sinn Féin (pronounced in English, in Irish), which means ourselves or we ourselves (not as sometimes incorrectly translated, ourselves alone or we alone) has been applied to a series of political movements since 1905 in Ireland, each of which claims or claimed sole descent from the original... George Noble Plunkett (1851 — 1948) was an Irish nationalist and father of Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916. ... January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The name Sinn Féin (pronounced in English, in Irish), which means ourselves or we ourselves (not as sometimes incorrectly translated, ourselves alone or we alone) has been applied to a series of political movements since 1905 in Ireland, each of which claims or claimed sole descent from the original... Sean Thomas OKelly (Irish name: Seán Tomás Ó Ceallaigh, pronounced ) (August 25, 1882 - November 23, 1966) was the second President of Ireland (1945-1959). ... January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1919 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The name Sinn Féin (pronounced in English, in Irish), which means ourselves or we ourselves (not as sometimes incorrectly translated, ourselves alone or we alone) has been applied to a series of political movements since 1905 in Ireland, each of which claims or claimed sole descent from the original... Eoin MacNeill (May 15, 1867 - October 15, 1945) was an Irish scholar and revolutionary. ... August 16 is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1921 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Signature page of the Anglo-Irish Treaty The Anglo-Irish Treaty, officially called the Articles of association between Ireland and the British Empire, was a treaty between the Government of the United Kingdom and representatives of the (extra-judicial) Irish Republic which concluded the Anglo-Irish War. ... The name Sinn Féin (pronounced in English, in Irish), which means ourselves or we ourselves (not as sometimes incorrectly translated, ourselves alone or we alone) has been applied to a series of political movements since 1905 in Ireland, each of which claims or claimed sole descent from the original... Prof. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... Cumann na nGaedheal (League of the Gaels) was an Irish language name given to two Irish political parties. ... Frank Fahy (1880-1953) was Ceann Comhairle (Chairman) of Dáil Éireann from 1932 to 1951. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... 1932 is a leap year starting on a Friday. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Patrick Hogan (1886 - 1969) was a senior Irish politician. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Cormac Breslin (1902-1978) was Ceann Comhairle (Chairman) of Dáil Éireann from 1967 to 1973. ... November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Seán Treacy (b. ... March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Joseph Brennan (1930 - 1980), was a senior Irish politician. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Pádraig Faulkner (born in March, 1918) was a senior Irish Fianna Fáil politician. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in Leap years). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining, and the last day of June. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ... Dr. John OConnell (born January 30, 1930), was a senior Irish politician. ... June 30 is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 184 days remaining, and the last day of June. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Tom Fitzpatrick was a senior Irish politician. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fine Gael (IPA in English and in Irish, approximate English translation: Family of the Irish) is the second largest political party in both the Republic of Ireland and Ireland as a whole. ... Seán Treacy (b. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Séamus Pattison (born April 19, 1936) is an Irish Labour Party politician and Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Logo of the Irish Labour Party The Irish Labour Party (Irish: Páirti an Lucht Oibre) is the third largest political party in the Republic of Ireland. ... Dr. Rory OHanlon (born 7 February 1934), Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann. ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining. ... 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Fianna Fáil - The Republican Party (IPA ; English translation: Soldiers of Destiny) is the largest political party in Ireland. ...

Footnotes

1. Ceann Comhairle may be pronounced by English speakers as "kee-ann coarl-a", where the first word rhymes with "crown". It translates from Irish as "head of the council".
2. 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.
3. Count Plunkett briefly chaired the Dáil on 22 January 1919. Seán T. O'Kelly was elected Ceann Comhairle later in the same day.

George Noble Plunkett (1851–1948) was an Irish nationalist and father of Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising of 1916. ... January 22 is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Sean Thomas OKelly (Irish name: Seán Tomás Ó Ceallaigh, pronounced ) (August 25, 1882 - November 23, 1966) was the second President of Ireland (1945-1959). ...

See also

• Politics of the Republic of Ireland
• History of the Republic of Ireland
• Dáil Éireann (1919-1922)
• Dáil Éireann (Irish Free State)

The Republic of Ireland is a sovereign, independent state. ... The state known today as the Republic of Ireland came into being when twenty-six of the counties of Ireland seceded from the United Kingdom (UK) in 1922. ... Irish stamp comemorating the first meeting of Dáil Éireann in 1919. ... The Dáil Chamber The chamber was remodelled in the early 1920s. ...

External link

• Official website