Sub-series 5 - Council of State

12 files

The Council of State is a body established by the Constitution of Ireland to advise the President of Ireland in the exercise of many of their discretionary, reserve powers. It also has authority to provide for the temporary exercise of the duties of the president if these cannot be exercised by either the president or the Presidential Commission (an eventuality that is very unlikely to occur, since it would require the simultaneous absence of the President and two members of the three-member Commission).

The Council of State consists of several government officials, who sit ex officio, as well as certain former office holders (President, Taoiseach, Chief Justice) and up to seven individuals of the president's own choosing. The ex officio members comprise the attorney general as well as individuals from each of three branches of government: legislature, executive and judiciary.

As a former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and therefore a former officer holder, Mary Robinson is a member of the Council of State. Material is arranged chronologically, covering several meetings convened by President Mary McAleese (in office 1997-2011) and President Michael D Higgins (in office 2011-2025). See also P143/4/14/12.

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02/02/2023
19/02/2025
27/10/2026