Council of State

The Council of State is a body created in Bunreacht na hÉireann, the 1937 Irish Constitution, to advise the President of Ireland in the exercise of most of her key powers. Its membership is made up of three groups. Its advice is however non-binding.

Two key figures from each of the major institutions of state serve on the Council ex-officio

Table of contents 1 Ex-Officio Members 2 Former Officer Holders 3 The President's Seven 4 External Link

Ex-Officio Members

From the Executive

• The Taoiseach (prime minister)
  • [currently Bertie Ahern, TD]
• The Tánaiste (deputy prime minister)
  • [currently Mary Harney[?], TD]

From the Legislature

• The Ceann Comhairle (Speaker of Dáil Éireann)
  • [currently Rory O'Hanlon]
• The Cathaoirleach (Speaker of Seanad Éireann.
  • [currently Rory Kiely]

From the Judiciary

• The Chief Justice
  • [currently Ronan Keane]
• The President of the High Court :
  • [currently Joseph Finnegan]

The Attorney-General currently Rory Brady, SC[?] also serves on the Council of State.

Former Officer Holders

Former holders of the three key offices of state are also automatic members

• Former Presidents of Ireland
  • [currently Patrick Hillery & Mary Robinson ]
• Former Taoisigh/Presidents of the Executive Council
  • [currrently Liam Cosgrave, Charles J. Haughey, Garret FitzGerald,
  • Albert Reynolds and John Bruton ]
• Former Chief Justices
  • [Thomas Finlay].

The President's Seven

The President is entitled to appoint up to seven members of the Council for the duration of her term of office.

External Link

• Áras an Uachtaráin website (http://www.irlgov.ie/aras)

See Bunreacht na hÉireann, President of Ireland pages.