Council of State (Ireland)
The Irish Council of State (English Council of State; Irish At Chomhairle Stait ) is a political body that advises the President of Ireland and was created by the Constitution of Ireland. The Council of State also has the theoretical power, the duties of the President to take over transitional, if these can not be performed by him or the Presidential Commission. Meeting of the State Council is Áras an Uachtaráin.
Composition
The Council of State consists of a number of government officials who sit ex officio in that Council, as well as some former office holders and up to seven people, who were appointed by the President. The people who sit ex officio in the State Council, are the government legal advisors as well as two people from each of the three areas of legislative, executive and judicial branches.
In contrast to the other tasks that must decide in consultation with the Cabinet of the President, is responsible for the seven people of the State Council 's decision alone. These seven persons remain in the State until the successor of the President takes office.
Current List of State Council members (as of 2013)
Tasks
The President is not bound by the recommendations of the Council, but must seek his advice and any State member must have the opportunity to be heard. This procedure is mandatory for the execution of all judgments of the President, except for the refusal of a dissolution of Dáil Éireann. These are as follows:
- Commission an audit on the constitutionality of legislative proposals by the supreme court
- Confirmation of a bill through a referendum
- Shortening the time frame for the laws confirmation in the Senate
- Convening a conciliation committee to decide whether a bill includes budget issues.
- A speech to Parliament
- A speech to the nation