An Oireachtas committee is a group of Members of the Oireachtas from either or both Houses delegated responsibility by one or both Houses to consider, scrutinise or advise on matters of legislation, expenditure, administration or policy.
In most cases, a committee’s primary function is to report to one or both Houses.
Types of committees
There are three main categories of committees:
- Sectoral committees comprise the majority of committees and shadow Government Departments.
- Thematic committees focus on cross-cutting policy issues, such as budgetary oversight or European Union affairs.
- Special committees focus on a single issue, such as gender equality or assisted dying, and are established for a specified period.
Along with the sectoral, thematic and special committees, there are some "housekeeping" committees, such as the Dáil Business Committee, and statutory committees, such as the Committee on Members’ Interests.
Select and joint committees
A committee is either a select committee, comprising TDs only or Senators only, or a joint committee , comprising both TDs and Senators.
In the 33rd Dáil, Dáil select committees had nine TDs and Joint Committees typically had 14 members, made up of nine TDs and five Senators.
Contact an expert
Last Updated: Fri, 15 Nov 2024