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| CATHAOIRLEACH SHEANAD ÉIREANN
Chairperson of Seanad Éireann |
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At its first meeting following a General Election, Seanad Éireann elects a Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) who presides impartially and with authority over the business and proceedings of the House. The Standing Orders (Rules) of Seanad Éireann prescribe the powers and duties of the Cathaoirleach in relation to parliamentary business e.g. the conduct of debate, amendments to Bills and motions, disorderly conduct. Under the Constitution, Seanad Éireann also elects a Leas-Chathaoirleach (Deputy Chairperson) Ar theacht le chéile den chéad uair tar éis Olltoghcháin, toghann Seanad Éireann Cathaoirleach agus is é an Cathaoirleach a bhíonn i gceannas go cothrom agus le húdarás ar ghnó agus imeachtaí an Tí. Leagann Buan-Orduithe (Rialacha) Sheanad Éireann amach cumhachtaí agus dualgais an Chathaoirligh i dtaca le gnó parlaiminte e.g. seoladh díospóireachta, leasuithe ar Bhillí agus ar thairiscintí, iompar mí-ordúil. Faoin mBunreacht, toghann Seanad Éireann Leas-Chathaoirleach freisin. The Cathaoirleach is the sole judge of order and has a range of powers and functions namely: (i) calls on Members to speak and all speeches must be addressed to the Chair (ii) puts such questions to the House as are required, supervises Divisions and declares the results (iii) 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 (iv) in the case of great disorder, can suspend or adjourn the House. An important power reserved to the Cathaoirleach is to accept and put a motion for the closure of a debate when, in his view, the issue has been adequately debated. Is é an Cathaoirleach an t-aon bhreitheamh ar ord agus tá réimse cumhachtaí agus feidhmeanna aige, eadhon (i) glaoch ar chomhaltaí chun labhairt, agus ní foláir gach óráid a dhéanamh chun na Cathaoireach, (ii) cibé Ceisteanna is gá a chur ar an Teach, Vótálacha a mhaoirsiú agus torthaí a fhógairt, (iii) tá údarás ag an gCathaoirleach mí-ord a chosc, iallach a chur ar chách géilleadh go tapa dá rialuithe agus féadfaidh an Cathaoirleach a ordú do Chomhaltaí imeacht as an Teach nó iad a ainmniú lena gcur ar fionraí ag an Teach féin ar feadh tréimhse áirithe. (iv) i gcás mí-oird mhóir féadfaidh an Cathaoirleach an Teach a chur ar fionraí nó ar athló. Cumhacht thábhachtach atá forchoimeádta don Chathaoirleach ná glacadh le tairiscint chun clabhsúr a chur le díospóireacht agus an cheist a chur nuair is leor, dar leis, an plé atá déanta ar an gceist. In relation to the general business of the Seanad, the Cathaoirleach has a variety of duties. Each sitting of the House is governed by an Order Paper which is prepared under his direction. Motions and amendments are examined individually to ensure that they comply with Standing Orders and precedents. The Cathaoirleach also has discretion to shorten the formal notice required for motions and amendments. I dtaca le gnó ginearálta an tSeanaid, tá dualgais éagsúla ar an gCathaoirleach. Bíonn gach suí den Teach faoi rialú Riar Oibre a ullmhaítear faoina stiúradh. Déantar tairiscintí agus leasuithe a scrúdú ceann ar cheann lena áirithiú go gcomhlíonann siad na Buan-Orduithe agus fasaigh. Tá rogha ag an gCathaoirleach an fógra foirmiúil is gá le haghaidh tairiscintí agus leasuithe a ghiorrú. The Cathaoirleach is Chairperson of the Seanad Committee on Procedure and Privileges which considers matters of procedure generally and recommends any additions or amendments to the Standing Orders. The Committee may also consider and report to the House as to Members' privileges. Is é an Cathaoirleach atá ina Chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste um Nós Imeachta agus Pribhléidí a bhreithníonn cúrsaí nós imeachta i gcoitinne agus a mholann aon bhreisiú nó leasú a mheastar is gá ar na Buan-Orduithe. Féadfaidh an Coiste breithniú a dhéanamh freisin ar phribhléidí Comhaltaí agus tuarascáil a thabhairt don Teach. While the Standing Orders regulate the proceedings of the House, they do not form a complete code of day- to- day procedure: they must be read in the context of how they have been applied or developed by the Chair over the years. The primary source for this is what are termed "Rulings of the Chair", which are decisions by the Chair on matters not specifically covered by Standing Orders or which apply the Standing Orders in specific circumstances. These decisions will have been made over a considerable period and by quite a number of different Chairpersons ( whether as Cathaoirleach or Leas-Chathaoirleach ). The Chair is not necessarily bound by previous Rulings but, in a given situation, a Ruling is likely to be adhered to in the interests of consistency. Under Article 15.11 2° of the Constitution, the Cathaoirleach has and must exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes. To assist him in the discharge of his parliamentary duties, the Cathaoirleach nominates a panel of temporary Chairpersons from the membership of the Seanad. The Cathaoirleach represents Seanad Éireann at international meetings of parliamentarians, Conferences of Speakers of Parliament, the Council of Europe, European Parliament, and with the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann will co-host visits of foreign parliamentary delegations to Ireland. In the absence or temporary incapacity of the President of Ireland , the Cathaoirleach is a member of the Commission which exercises and performs the powers and functions conferred on the President. The Cathaoirleach is also a member of the Council of State which aids and counsels the President in relation to the exercise and performance by her of certain powers. Under the Electoral Acts, the Cathaoirleach is ex officio a Member of the Appeal Board which is established to decide on any doubt, dispute or question which may arise in connection with the Register of Political Parties. The Cathaoirleach is also ex officio a member of the Appeal Board which is established to hear and decide appeals from decisions of the Seanad Returning Officer under the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act, 1947 Houses
of the Oireachtas | Leinster House - a short history For more detailed information, please contact Public Relations Office, Leinster House, Dublin 2. |
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