Clerks

Clerk of the Dáil

The Clerk of the Dáil is appointed by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on the recommendation of the Ceann Comhairle following a Top Level Appointments Commission competitive process. The Clerk is also Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service and is responsible for its administration and management, along with the full range of procedural, administrative and legal functions associated with the running of Dáil Éireann. As Accounting Officer, the Clerk is answerable to the Dáil through the Committee of Public Accounts for the finances of the Service.

The Clerk of the Dáil ensures that the Dáil operates in an efficient manner in line with the Standing Orders of the House, which are the procedures for the running of the Dáil. When the House is in session, the Clerk advises the Chair on this procedure.

General elections and the first sitting of Dáil

On the first sitting day of a new Dáil, the proceedings are opened by the Clerk who then reads the proclamation dissolving and convening the Dáil and the list of Members returned from each constituency. The Clerk acts as chairperson until a new Ceann Comhairle has been elected by the Members.

Each Member must sign the Roll of the House in the presence of the Clerk before he or she may take his or her seat. On the dissolution of the Dáil, the Clerk issues electoral writs, or official instructions, to the returning officer in each Dáil constituency that the Dáil has been dissolved and that an election should be held.

Clerk-Assistant of the Dáil

If the Clerk of the Dáil is absent for any reason, all of his or her powers and duties under Standing Orders are exercised by the Clerk-Assistant of the Dáil.

The Clerk-Assistant of the Dáil is also an Officer of the House appointed by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on the recommendation of the Ceann Comhairle following a Top Level Appointments Commission competitive process. He or she is responsible for the administration and management of the parliamentary services division of the Service, which provides procedural, reporting and translation services to the Houses, committees, and Members.

Temporary advisory clerks

In the absence of the Clerk and Clerk-Assistant of the Dáil, clerking duties may be carried out by a team of temporary advisory clerks.

These clerks ensure the smooth running of Dáil business through briefing and advising Chairs on procedural matters as they arise in the Chamber. They also record and follow up on decisions made. The role also involves briefing and advising Dáil officeholders, orally and in writing, on procedural matters based on knowledge of Standing Orders and rulings of the Chair.

Systems clerks

The systems clerk manages speaking lists and timings in the Chamber, which enables the display of real-time information on digital signage around the Leinster House campus. Systems clerks are part of the Chamber Business Team responsible for operating the Chamber Business System, the purpose of which is to facilitate Members and staff getting real-time information on business activities in the Chamber.