Presidential Commission

Republic of Ireland

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Republic of Ireland

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

Membership

Three members serve on the Presidential Commission.

• Chief Justice – President of the Supreme Court
• Ceann Comhairle – Presiding officer of Dáil Éireann
• Cathaoirleach – Chairman of Seanad Éireann

Powers

The Presidential Commission fulfils 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.

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.

Members of the Presidential Commission as acting President of Ireland

1937–38

1974

1976

1997

See also

• Council of State
• Official Seal of the President of Ireland