Presidential Commission (Ireland)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Republic of Ireland

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
the Republic of Ireland
Constitution
Oireachtas
President
Government
Judiciary
Elections
Divisions
Foreign policy
Other countries · Atlas
 Politics Portal
view • talk • edit

The Presidential Commission (Irish: Coimisiún Uachtarán) is the collective vice-presidency of the Republic of Ireland.

Contents

[edit] Membership

Three members serve on the Presidential Commission.

[edit] Powers

The Presidential Commission fulfills all functions and duties of the office of President of Ireland:

  • when the presidency is vacant due to death, resignation or impeachment and in the interregnum between the conclusion of one president's term of office and the inauguration of the next. (An Irish president's term of office technically expires on the day before the inauguration of their successor); or
  • when the incumbent president is unavailable (e.g., abroad, ill, otherwise engaged) or unwilling to act (should the president "refuse" to fulfill any of their duties and functions).

See President of Ireland for the President's powers and duties.

[edit] Origins

The Presidential Commission was created in the 1937 Constitution of Ireland. It was first used between December 1937, when the Constitution came into force, and June 1938, when the first President was inaugurated. Initially, as the Irish senate had not been constituted and elected, the seat on the Presidential Commission intended for the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann was filled by the President of the High Court under the Transitory Provisions of the Constitution.

[edit] Members of the Presidential Commission as acting President of Ireland

[edit] 1937–38

Name Title Party Entered Office Left Office
Timothy Sullivan Chief Justice Non-party 29 December 1937 25 June 1938
Frank Fahy Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil
Conor Maguire President of the High Court Non-party

[edit] 1974

Name Title Party Entered Office Left Office
Tom O'Higgins Chief Justice Non-party 17 November 1974 18 December 1974
Seán Treacy Ceann Comhairle Labour Party
James Dooge Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

[edit] 1976

Name Title Party Entered Office Left Office
Tom O'Higgins Chief Justice Non-party 22 October 1976 2 December 1976
Seán Treacy Ceann Comhairle Labour Party
James Dooge Cathaoirleach Fine Gael

[edit] 1997

Name Title Party Entered Office Left Office
Liam Hamilton Chief Justice Non-party 12 September 1997 10 November 1997
Séamus Pattison Ceann Comhairle Labour Party
Liam T. Cosgrave Cathaoirleach Fine Gael 12 September 1997 17 September 1997
Brian Mullooly Cathaoirleach Fianna Fail 17 September 1997 10 November 1997

[edit] See also

Languages