Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission serve in a corporate capacity and do not represent their parties. The Commission operates on the general principle that it seeks to support the Houses and all Members equally in carrying out their role as elected representatives.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has 11 members and is chaired by the Ceann Comhairle, who is chair of Dáil Éireann. The membership of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is outlined in the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission comprises:
- The Chairman of Dáil Éireann
- The Chairman of Seanad Éireann
- The Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service
- A Member of one of the Houses of the Oireachtas appointed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, known as the Minister’s representative
- Four ordinary members appointed by the Dáil
- Three ordinary members appointed by the Seanad.
Current members
| Mr. Peter Finnegan Secretary General |
Ex officio member Chief Executive |
| Deputy Verona Murphy Ceann Comhairle |
Ex officio member |
| Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann | Ex officio member |
| Vacancy* | Minister’s representative |
| Senator Paddy Burke | Seanad Member |
| Vacancy* | Dáil Member |
| Vacancy* | Dáil Member |
| Senator Ned O’Sullivan | Seanad Member |
| Vacancy* | Dáil Member |
| Vacancy* | Dáil Member |
| Senator Rónán Mullen | Seanad Member |
*Deputies Francis Noel Duffy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Louise O’Reilly, Jennifer Whitmore and Michael Ring ceased to be members of the Commission following the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil.
Code of conduct
The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission’s code of conduct sets out the agreed ethical standards that inform the conduct of members. It was adopted in 2011 following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Last updated: 14 October 2020