Cathaoirleach
| Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann | |
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| Appointer | Elected by the members of Seanad Éireann at start of a new term after a general election. |
| Term length | No term limits are imposed on the office. |
| Inaugural holder | Lord Glenavy |
| Formation | 6 December 1922 |
| Website |
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Cathaoirleach (/kəˈhɪərləx/;[1] Irish for "chairperson"; plural: Cathaoirligh) is the title of the chair (or presiding officer) of Seanad Éireann, the sixty-member upper house of the Oireachtas, the legislature of Ireland. The current Cathaoirleach is Senator Paddy Burke.
Powers and functions
The Cathaoirleach is the sole judge of order and has a range of powers and functions namely:[2]
- Calls on members to speak and all speeches must be addressed to the Chair.
- Puts such questions to the House as are required, supervises Divisions and declares the results.
- Has authority to suppress disorder, to enforce prompt obedience to Rulings and may order members to withdraw from the House or name them for suspension by the House itself for a period.
- In the case of great disorder can suspend or adjourn the House.
The Cathaoirleach is also an ex-officio member of the Presidential Commission, the collective vice-presidency of Ireland.
Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Cathaoirleach's deputy is the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The current Leas-Chathaoirleach is Denis O'Donovan.
List of office-holders
This list includes the panel (since 1938) and political affiliation of each Cathaoirleach as well as the number of their Seanad Éireann and time they spent in the position.
Other uses
The term Cathaoirleach is also used in a generic sense for chairs of various organisations and local authorities. Many voluntary organisations, associations and clubs also employ this term, for example county boards and clubs of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
See also
- Leader of the Seanad
- Ceann Comhairle (Chairman of Dáil Éireann)
References
- ↑ For the pronunciation in Irish, see here.
- ↑ "Role of the Cathaoirleach". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
- ↑ "Cathaoirleach - Chairman - Seanad Éireann". Houses of the Oireachtas. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
- 1 2 The final sitting of Seanad Éireann of the Irish Free State was held on 19 May 1936. The Seanad was abolished on 29 May 1936. The election for the new Seanad, set up in accordance with the 1937 Constitution of Ireland, was held on 28 March 1938, and the first sitting was held on 27 April 1938.
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