Houses of the Oireachtas Commission
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Irish: Coimisiún Thithe an Oireachtais) is the governing body responsible for the administration of the Oireachtas. It was established on 1 January 2004 by the Houses of the Oireachtas Act 2003 as a corporate body.[1] It is independent in performing its functions and has no role in setting parliamentary business. It is funded on a three-year basis. It is funded by statute on a three-year basis.[2]
Its membership is:[3] the Ceann Comhairle, who is the chair of the Commission; the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; the Clerk of the Dáil, termed the Secretary General, who acts as chief executive;[4] a member of the Houses appointed by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation;[5][6] four members of the Dáil; and three members of the Seanad. The Commission continues to exist during the dissolution period and the Ceann Comhairle continues to serve as chair of the Commission until a new Ceann Comhairle is elected by the next Dáil.[7]
Membership as of 2025[update]:[8]
| Party | Member | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceann Comhairle | Verona Murphy, TD | Ceann Comhairle, chairperson | |
| Fianna Fáil | Senator Mark Daly | Cathaoirleach | |
| Peter Finnegan | Secretary General, Chief Executive | ||
| Fianna Fáil | Pádraig O'Sullivan, TD | Minister's representative | |
| Fianna Fáil | Catherine Ardagh, TD | Dáil representative | |
| Sinn Féin | Pearse Doherty, TD | Dáil representative | |
| Fine Gael | Frank Feighan, TD | Dáil representative | |
| Sinn Féin | Senator Robbie Gallagher | Seanad representative | |
| Independent | Senator Michael McDowell | Seanad representative, deputy chairperson | |
| Fine Gael | Senator Joe O'Reilly | Seanad representative | |
| Social Democrats | Jennifer Whitmore, TD | Dáil representative | |