View source for Council of State (Ireland)

{{Short description|Group that advises the President of Ireland}}
{{for|Éamon de Valera's 1922–1923 Council of State|Irish republican legitimatism}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{PoliticsRofI}}
The '''Council of State''' ({{langx|ga|an Chomhairle Stáit}}<ref name=tearma>{{cite web | url = http://www.tearma.ie/Search.aspx?term=the+Council+of+State | title = the Council of State | work = téarma.ie – Dictionary of Irish Terms | publisher = [[Foras na Gaeilge]] and [[Dublin City University]] | access-date = 18 November 2016 | archive-date = 2 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181002174452/http://www.tearma.ie/Search.aspx?term=the+Council+of+State | url-status = live }}</ref>) is a body established by the [[Constitution of Ireland]] to advise the [[President of Ireland]] in the exercise of many of their discretionary, [[reserve power]]s.<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Articles 31–2</ref> 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 (Ireland)|Presidential Commission]]<ref name="art14-4">Constitution of Ireland, Article 14.4</ref> (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).<ref name="art14-3">Constitution of Ireland, Article 14.3</ref>

==Members==
The Council of State consists of a number of government officials, who sit {{lang|la|[[ex officio]]}}, as well as certain former office holders and up to seven individuals of the president's own choosing. The {{lang|la|ex officio}} members comprise the [[Attorney General of Ireland|attorney general]] as well as individuals from each of three branches of government: [[legislature]], [[executive (government)|executive]] and [[judiciary]].<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.2</ref>

Unlike most of the president's other duties, which must be conducted in accordance with the advice of the [[Government of Ireland|cabinet]], the seven presidential appointees to the Council of State are chosen at the president's absolute discretion.<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.3</ref> These appointees retain their positions until the president's successor takes office.<ref name="Bunreacht31p5">Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.5</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Class
! Office
! Current members
|-
| rowspan=2|''Ex officio'': executive
| {{lang|ga|[[Taoiseach]]|italic=no}}
| [[Micheál Martin]]
|-
| {{lang|ga|[[Tánaiste]]|italic=no}}
| [[Simon Harris]] 
|-
| rowspan=2|''Ex officio'': legislature
| {{lang|ga|[[Ceann Comhairle]]|italic=no}}
| [[Verona Murphy]]
|-
| {{lang|ga|{{nowrap|[[Cathaoirleach]]}}|italic=no}}
| [[Mark Daly (politician)|Mark Daly]]
|-
| rowspan=3|''Ex officio'': judiciary
| [[Chief Justice of Ireland|Chief Justice]] 
| [[Donal O'Donnell]]
|-
| President of the [[Court of Appeal (Ireland)|Court of Appeal]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Thirty-third Amendment of the Constitution Act, 2013 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2013/en/act/cam/0033/sched6.html |website=[[Irish Statute Book]] |publisher=[[Attorney General of Ireland]] |access-date=9 April 2015|archive-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315031802/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2013/en/act/cam/0033/sched6.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| [[Caroline Costello]]
|-
| President of the [[High Court (Ireland)|High Court]]
| [[David Barniville]]
|-
| ''Ex officio''
| [[Attorney General of Ireland|Attorney General]]
| [[Rossa Fanning]]
|-
| rowspan=4|Former officeholders
| [[President of Ireland|President]]
| [[Mary Robinson]], [[Mary McAleese]], [[Michael D. Higgins]]
|-
| Taoiseach
| [[Bertie Ahern]], [[Brian Cowen]], [[Enda Kenny]], [[Leo Varadkar]], [[Simon Harris]] 
|-
| Chief Justice
| [[Ronan Keane]], [[Susan Denham]], [[Frank Clarke (judge)|Frank Clarke]]
|-
| [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State]]
| None{{#tag:ref|The office of President of the Executive Council was superseded in 1937 by that of Taoiseach; the last surviving holder, [[Éamon de Valera]], died in 1975. The 1996 Constitution Review Group proposed removing, as obsolete, mention of the office in relation to the Council of State.<ref name="crg1996">{{cite book |author=Constitution Review Group |title=Report of the Constitution Review Group |archive-date=21 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721123405/http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf |url=http://www.constitution.ie/reports/crg.pdf#page=113 |series=Government publications |volume=Pn.2632 |year=1996 |publisher=Stationery Office |location=Dublin |isbn=0707624401 |page=113 |chapter=The Council of State |url-status=dead }}</ref>|group="fn"}}
|-
| {{nowrap|President's nominees}}
| ([[List of presidential appointees to the Council of State (Ireland)|List of former nominees]])
| None
|}

{{reflist|group="fn"}}

The Constitution explicitly states that members appointed by the President may resign,<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.6</ref> or be dismissed by the President.<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.7</ref> Former office holders are members if "able and willing to act as a member",<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.2(ii)</ref> which implies an ability to resign; but there is no provision for dismissing them. When the [[McCracken Tribunal]] found in 1997 that former Taoiseach [[Charles Haughey]] had misled the Tribunal, there were calls for him to formally resign from the Council of State.<ref name="McCarthy1999"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/1015/Pg007.html#Ar00705 |title=Haughey's removal from Council of State urged |date=15 October 1997 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |page=7 |access-date=13 November 2010 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022132924/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/1015/Pg007.html#Ar00705 |url-status=live }}</ref> He did not do so, although he sent his regrets to subsequent meetings of the council until his death.<ref name="McCarthy1999"/><ref name="rte2004">{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1221/health.html |title=Council advises McAleese on Health Bill |date=21 December 2004 |work=[[RTÉ.ie]] |quote=the only absentee was the former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey |access-date=12 November 2010 |archive-date=23 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223081729/http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/1221/health.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Members of the Council of State may be excused from [[jury duty]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0004/sched1.html#sched2-partii |title=Juries Act, 1976; First Schedule, Part II |work=[[Irish Statute Book]] |access-date=7 November 2013 |archive-date=6 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106024531/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0004/sched1.html#sched2-partii |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Constitution specifies a [[oath of office|declaration of office]], "in the presence of Almighty God", which a new member must take before attending an official meeting.<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 31.4</ref> [[Éamon Gilmore]], a declared [[agnosticism|agnostic]], sought legal advice before attending the 2013 Council meeting as Tánaiste.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/agnostic-gilmore-got-legal-advice-on-swearing-religious-oath-1.1476539 |title=Agnostic Gilmore got legal advice on swearing religious oath |last=Minihan |first=Mary |date=27 July 2013 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823111350/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/agnostic-gilmore-got-legal-advice-on-swearing-religious-oath-1.1476539 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1996 Constitutional Review Group recommended making the religious part optional.<ref name="crg1996" /> In 2013, six of the seven Presidential appointees to the Council of State jointly made a similar submission to the [[Constitutional Convention (Ireland)|Constitutional Convention]] which was discussing [[Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|removing the offence of blasphemy from the constitution]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whiteside |first1=Brian |title=Opinion: Why should Catherine Connolly have to take a religious oath to become president? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025/11/09/why-should-catherine-connolly-be-forced-to-take-a-religious-oath-to-become-president/ |access-date=9 November 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=9 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

==Role==
Before exercising any [[reserve power]] but one, the President is required to seek the advice of the Council of State, although not required to follow its advice. The one exception, where the President has "absolute discretion",<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 13.2.2°</ref> is in deciding to refuse a [[dissolution of parliament|dissolution]] to a Taoiseach who has [[Motion of no confidence|lost the confidence]] of the Dáil. The remaining discretionary powers, which do require prior consultation with the Council of State, are as follows (for a detailed description of the president's reserve powers see: [[President of Ireland#Discretionary powers]]):
* Convening a meeting of either or both [[Oireachtas|Houses of the Oireachtas]]<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 13.2.3°</ref>
* Addressing the Oireachtas<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 13.7.1°</ref>
* Addressing the Nation<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 13.7.2°</ref>
* Establishing a [[Committee of Privileges (Ireland)|committee of privileges]] to resolve a dispute between the Houses over a putative [[money bill#Ireland|money bill]]<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 22.2.6°</ref>
* Abridging the time for considering a bill in the Seanad<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 24.1</ref>
* Referring a [[Bill (proposed law)|bill]] to the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]] to test its Constitutionality<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 26.1.1°</ref>
* Referring a bill to the people for an "[[ordinary referendum]]"<ref>Constitution of Ireland, Article 27.4.1°</ref>

The draft of the Constitution gave more powers to the Council of State. Article 13 allows additional powers to be given to the President acting on the advice of the Government; originally, it was the advice of the Council of State that was to be required.<ref name="Duffy1991">{{cite news|title=Council of State's function is still very confined|last=Duffy|first=Jim|date=21 February 1991|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=9}}</ref> Article 14 provides for a [[Presidential Commission (Ireland)|Presidential Commission]] as the collective vice-presidency of the state when the President is absent; originally the Council of State was to fill this function.<ref name="Duffy1991" /> Nevertheless, under Article 14.4 of the constitution the Council of State, acting by a majority of its members, has the authority to "make such provision as to them may seem meet" for the exercise of the duties of the president in any contingency the constitution does not foresee.<ref name="art14-4"/> This provision has never been invoked.

The [[Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill 1958|Third Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1958]], which was defeated at a referendum, gave a role to the Council of State in the work of an envisaged constituency boundary commission.

Close to the time of its inception, the Council of State was likened to a [[privy council]],<ref>{{cite news|title=First Council of State meets to-day|date=8 January 1940|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=5|quote=The new body may be said to be analogous to the old-time Privy Council, with the important difference that it is purely advisory, and has, in fact, no definite powers.}}</ref><ref name="KeoghMcCarthy2007">{{cite book|last1=Keogh|first1=Dermot|last2=McCarthy|first2=Andrew|last3=McCarthy|first3=Dr. Andrew|title=The making of the Irish Constitution 1937: Bunreacht na hÉireann|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCCQAAAAMAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Mercier Press|quote=The Privy Council in Ireland disappeared with the Viceroy and the rule of Dublin Castle; it comes back as the President's Council of State|isbn=978-1-85635-561-2|page=199|access-date=30 September 2016|archive-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231095829/http://books.google.com/books?id=bCCQAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> although [[Jim Duffy (journalist)|Jim Duffy]] calls this "more apparent than real" as it has no legislative or judicial functions.<ref name="Duffy1991"/> [[Gemma Hussey]], who was a member of the Council of State in 1989–90, described it as "largely a symbolic body".<ref name="Hussey1995">{{cite book|last=Hussey|first=Gemma|title=Ireland today|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCGdaWqDGXwC|year=1995|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-14-015761-1|page=12}}</ref> Actress [[Siobhán McKenna]], appointed to the council by [[Patrick Hillery]], suggested in the 1980s that the Council approach [[Ronald Reagan]] regarding [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland; Hillery's secretary remarked there was "no point in trying to explain" to McKenna that the council had no role in such matters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Papers of Dr Patrick Hillery; Descriptive Catalogue |author=UCD Archives |url=https://www.ucd.ie/archives/t4media/p0205-hillery-patrick-descriptive-catalogue.pdf |date=2012 |no-pp=y |page=P205/120 p.92 |access-date=28 September 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208003919/https://www.ucd.ie/archives/t4media/p0205-hillery-patrick-descriptive-catalogue.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Meetings ==
Working meetings called by the President for consultation under the terms of the Constitution are rare, though less so since the election of [[Mary Robinson]] in 1990. Four meetings have related to an address the Oireachtas, which requires the approval of the Government as well as the consultation of the Council of State. All other meetings have been to advise the President about whether to refer a bill to the Supreme Court.<ref name="meetings">{{cite web|url=http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&lang=eng|title=Meetings of the Council of State|publisher=Office of the President|access-date=11 November 2010|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605024932/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&lang=eng|url-status=live}}</ref>

Meetings are held in [[Áras an Uachtaráin]].<ref name="McCarthy1999">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/keeping-her-own-council-395440.html|title=Keeping her own Council|last=McCarthy|first=Justine|date=30 October 1999|work=[[Irish Independent]]|page=1|access-date=12 November 2010|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025223814/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/keeping-her-own-council-395440.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Members arrive 15 minutes before the meeting starts, and are served light refreshments in the Council of State Room.<ref name="McCarthy1999"/> At the first meeting of the Council in [[Mary McAleese]]'s first term, there was a photocall in the State Reception Rooms.<ref name="McCarthy1999"/> Members are seated in [[Order of precedence in the Republic of Ireland|order of precedence]] in the Presidents' Room around a 1927 dining table purchased by President de Valera in 1961.<ref name="McCarthy1999"/> The [[Secretary-General to the President (Ireland)|Secretary-General to the President]] serves as clerk to the council.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1938/en/act/pub/0024/sec0006.html Presidential Establishment Act, 1938 §6((5))] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011021124/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1938/en/act/pub/0024/sec0006.html |date=11 October 2012 }}; as amended by [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0018/sec0027.html Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 §27] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623153613/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0018/sec0027.html |date=23 June 2013 }}</ref> The Council does not offer collective advice; the President asks each member in turn to comment, and further discussion may involve several members.<ref name="Duffy1991" /> No vote or show of hands is taken.<ref name="McGee20231014"/> 

The council's deliberations are held [[in camera]],<ref name="McCarthy1999"/> as for cabinet meetings, though there is no explicit requirement for confidentiality. ''[[The Irish Times]]'' obtained details of a 1984 meeting from an unnamed attendee,<ref name="it19841206">{{cite news|title=Council of State gives mixed reaction to Bill|date=6 December 1984|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=7}}</ref> while [[James Dooge]] discussed a 1976 meeting years later with journalist [[Stephen Collins (journalist)|Stephen Collins]].<ref name="it1476351"/> A 2019 legal request under the EU [[directive on public access to environmental information]] for records of 1999 and 2002 council meetings was rejected by the Supreme Court in 2022, on the grounds that the President's constitutional immunity from court or Oireachtas scrutiny extended to the Council in its role as advisor to the President.<ref>{{multiref|
{{cite web |author1=Public Interest Law Alliance |title=Supreme Court - President is immune from requests for information under European AIE Regulations |url=https://www.pila.ie/resources/bulletin/2022/05/18/supreme-court-president-is-immune-from-requests-for-information-under-european-aie-regulations |website=PILA Bulletin |publisher=Free Legal Advice Centres |access-date=5 November 2023 |language=en |date=18 May 2022 |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105215548/https://www.pila.ie/resources/bulletin/2022/05/18/supreme-court-president-is-immune-from-requests-for-information-under-european-aie-regulations |url-status=live }}|
{{cite BAILII |litigants=Right to Know CLG v Commissioner for Environmental Information & Ors |court=IESC |year=2022 |num=19  |para=75 |date=29 April 2022 }}}}</ref>

Apart from the Council of State's official meetings, its members are invited to important state functions, such as [[state funeral]]s, the [[National Day of Commemoration]], and the [[Presidential Inauguration (Ireland)|inauguration of the next President]]. The first President, [[Douglas Hyde]], dined monthly with the members of his Council of State.<ref name="DunleavyDunleavy1991">{{cite book|last1=Dunleavy|first1=Janet Egleson|last2=Dunleavy|first2=Gareth W.|title=Douglas Hyde: a maker of modern Ireland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=24sMpeVwhXgC&pg=PA399|year=1991|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-06684-7|pages=399–400}}</ref> The seven new presidential nominees of Mary McAleese's second term were introduced at a luncheon in the Áras the month after their appointment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=6&engagement=200451&lang=eng |title=Engagements Week beginning 13th December 2004 |publisher=Office of the President |quote=Wednesday, 15 December 2004 ... 12:30&nbsp;pm Áras an Uachtaráin: President hosts lunch for newly-appointed members of the Council of State |access-date=13 November 2010 |archive-date=16 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716070928/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=6&engagement=200451&lang=eng |url-status=live }}</ref> Campaigning in the [[1990 Irish presidential election|1990 presidential election]], [[Mary Robinson]] promised to have meetings of the Council regularly rather than on "an emergency basis".<ref name="mmt1990">{{cite news|title=Robinson wants Council of State to have new role in Presidency|last=Tynan|first=Maol Mhuire|date=27 September 1990|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=2}}</ref>

===Addresses to the Oireachtas===
{{see also|List of addresses to the Oireachtas}}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Date of meeting<ref name="meetings"/>
! President
! Topic of Address
! Date of Address (link to text)
! Notes
|-
| 20 December 1968<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=6&lang=eng 20 December 1968 – Address to Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716070956/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=6&lang=eng |date=16 July 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
| [[Éamon de Valera]]
| 50th anniversary of the [[First Dáil]]
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180510223941/https://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Faddresses%2F21Jan1969.htm 21 January 1969]
| [[Brendan Corish]] was the only absentee from the Council of State meeting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council of State meets|date=21 December 1968|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=4}}</ref>
|-
| 29 June 1992
| [[Mary Robinson]]
| "[[Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland#Europe and the European Union|the Irish Identity in Europe]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-12-11|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland#Europe and the European Union|reason= The anchor (Europe and the European Union) [[Special:Diff/822985234|has been deleted]].}}"<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=15&lang=eng 29 June 1992 – Address to the Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716071014/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=15&lang=eng |date=16 July 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180510065908/https://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Faddresses%2F8Jul1992.htm 8 July 1992]
|
|-
| 24 January 1995
| [[Mary Robinson]]
| "Cherishing the [[Irish diaspora|Irish Diaspora]]"
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20180510223917/https://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Faddresses%2F2Feb1995.htm 2 February 1995]
|
|-
| 28 October 1999
| [[Mary McAleese]]
| Marking the [[millennium]]<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=22&lang=eng 28 October 1999 – Address to the Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament) 28 October 1999 – Address to the Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716071036/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=22&lang=eng |date=16 July 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
| [https://web.archive.org/web/20120922041405/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0512/D.0512.199912160006.html 16 December 1999]
| [[Charles Haughey]], [[Albert Reynolds]], and [[Mary Robinson]] were absent.<ref name="McCarthy1999" />
|}

===Referring of bills===
In some cases, the President has decided to sign the bill (thereby [[Act of Parliament|enacting]] it) without referring it to the Supreme Court; in other cases, the President has referred the bill (or sections of it<ref name="McGee20231014"/>) and the court has upheld its constitutionality, and in other cases the Court has found some or all of the referred portions to be unconstitutional. It is not revealed whether some or all members of the Council of State counselled for or against the President's course of action.

[[Jim Duffy (journalist)|Jim Duffy]] in 1991 criticised the lack of supporting resources for members of the council; at meetings, they were provided only with a copy of the Constitution.<ref name="Duffy1991" /> By contrast, prior to the 2013 meeting to discuss the [[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013|Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill]], a dossier of background information was sent to each member, including legal briefs and news reports.<ref name="it1477800">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/council-of-state-gathers-at-%C3%A1ras-for-meeting-on-abortion-bill-1.1477800|title=Council of State gathers at Áras for meeting on abortion Bill|last=Mac Cormaic|first=Ruadhan|date=29 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823160230/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/council-of-state-gathers-at-%C3%A1ras-for-meeting-on-abortion-bill-1.1477800|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although the serving Chief Justice is a member of the council, by convention they do not get involved in substantive discussions on the bill, as they will be involved in the deliberations if the bill does get referred.<ref name="it1476351"/><ref name="it1477800"/> Therefore, retired Chief Justices and the President of the High Court play a greater role in the discussion.<ref name="it1476351"/><ref name="it1477800"/> The 2013 meeting was the first at which two serving members of the Supreme Court were present: the term of the Chief Justice was limited to seven years in 1997, and ex-Chief Justice  [[John L. Murray (judge)|John Murray]] remained an ordinary member of the Court.<ref name="it1476351"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/pagecurrent/225D8212CD9DEDE880257315005A41A5?opendocument&l=en|title=Appointment and Tenure of Judges of the Supreme Court|publisher=[[Supreme Court of Ireland]]|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703053043/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/pagecurrent/225D8212CD9DEDE880257315005A41A5?opendocument&l=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

An act which has passed an Article 26 review cannot subsequently have its constitutionality impugned. Jurists have argued this is dangerous, since an Article 26 review can only consider raise hypothetical issues for consideration, and if an unconsidered issue arises later in a real-world case, a [[judicial review]] declaration of unconstitutionality is no longer available as a remedy. President Higgins alluded to this argument when he signed the Planning and Development Act 2024 without consulting the Council of State: he noted doubts about the bill's constitutionality, but said they were "probably best tested in a facts specific way rather than in the abstract".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horgan-Jones |first1=Jack |title='Very unusual' for President to suggest concerns around Planning Bill without referring it to Supreme Court |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/10/17/very-unusual-for-president-to-suggest-concerns-around-planning-bill-without-referring-it-to-supreme-court/ |access-date=20 October 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=17 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Date of meeting<ref name="meetings"/>
!Bill (section)
!President
!Outcome
!Notes
|-
| {{dts|8 January 1940}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1940/en/act/pub/0002/index.html Offences against the State (Amendment) Bill, 1940]
|{{sortname|Douglas|Hyde}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=1&lang=eng 8 January 1940 – Offences against the State (Amendment) Bill, 1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716071045/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=1&lang=eng |date=16 July 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/8E500525C711FB96802575F20051DF49/$FILE/%5B1940%5D%20IR%20470.htm In re Article 26 and the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Bill 1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618141946/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/8E500525C711FB96802575F20051DF49/$FILE/&#91;1940&#93;%20IR%20470.htm |date=18 June 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| The government had unofficially supported the referral, as the 1940 act replaced a section of the [[Offences against the State Act 1939]] which [[State (Burke) v. Lennon|had been found unconstitutional]], leading to the release of interned IRA members who soon made [[Christmas Raid|a major arms raid]].<ref name="Hogan2012">{{cite book|last1=Hogan|first1=Gerard W.|last2=Kinsella|first2=Eoin|title=The Origins of the Irish Constitution: 1928–1941|year=2012|publisher=Royal Irish Academy|isbn=9781904890751|pages=670–682}}</ref> [[W. T. Cosgrave]] was the only absent member of the council.<ref>{{cite news|title=Offences Bill referred to Supreme Court|date=9 January 1940|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|page=5}}</ref> The [[Dublin North-West (Dáil constituency)|Dublin North-West]] branch of the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] passed a resolution urging [[William Norton]] to withdraw from the Council "which exists for the purpose of endorsing [[Fianna Fáil]] restrictions on liberty".<ref>{{cite news|title=The Council of State; A Dublin Labour resolution|date=13 January 1940|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=13}}</ref> Hyde instructed attendees not to discuss "political considerations" or "legal arguments", which limited the value of the meeting.<ref name="CahillaneGallen2017">{{cite book|last1=Cahillane|first1=Laura|last2=Gallen|first2=James|last3=Hickey|first3=Tom|title=Judges, politics and the Irish Constitution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pU6pDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT231|year=2017|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=9781526108203|page=231}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|25 February 1943}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1942/23/ School Attendance Bill, 1942]
|{{sortname|Douglas|Hyde}}
|{{nowrap|Referred and struck down}}<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=2&lang=eng 25 February 1943 – School Attendance Bill, 1942] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716071056/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=2&lang=eng |date=16 July 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/519E6B732519B872802575F3002D35BE/$FILE/School%20Attendance_%5B1943%5D%20IR%20334.htm In re Article 26 and the School Attendance Bill 1942] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220324/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/519E6B732519B872802575F3002D35BE/$FILE/School%20Attendance_%5B1943%5D%20IR%20334.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| Hyde's 1940 instruction was not repeated, after De Valera advised Michael McDunphy, [[Secretary-General to the President (Ireland)|Secretary-General to the President]], that it was unhelpful.<ref name="CahillaneGallen2017"/>
|-
|{{dts|13 August 1947}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1947/en/act/pub/0028/index.html Health Bill, 1947]
|{{sortname|Seán T.|O'Kelly| |Okelly, Sean T}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=3&lang=eng 13 August 1947 – Health Bill, 1947] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231226/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=3&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|Absentees were [[George Gavan Duffy]], [[Douglas Hyde]], [[Timothy Sullivan (Irish judge)|Timothy Sullivan]], [[W. T. Cosgrave]], and [[Richard Mulcahy]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Council of State Meets|date=14 August 1947|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=1}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|14 June 1961}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1961/en/act/pub/0019/index.html Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1961]
|{{sortname|Éamon|de Valera| |Devalera, Eamon}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=4&lang=eng 14 June 1961 – Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1961] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231236/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=4&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/CD7B68D9BC678262802575F3002D42C6/$FILE/Electoral%201961_%5B1961%5D%20IR%20169.htm In re Article 26 and the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 1961] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220351/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/CD7B68D9BC678262802575F3002D42C6/$FILE/Electoral%201961_%5B1961%5D%20IR%20169.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|6 March 1967}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0006/index.html Income Tax Bill, 1966]
|{{sortname|Éamon|de Valera| |Devalera, Eamon}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=5&lang=eng 6 March 1967 – Income Tax Bill, 1966] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231330/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=5&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|All members attended.<ref>{{cite news|title=Council of State meets|date=7 March 1967|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=1}}</ref> On 7 March, before the President announced a decision, the [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0007/index.html Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 1967] was introduced and passed by the Oireachtas.<ref name="dailv227c113">[http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0227/D.0227.196703070041.html Dáil debates Vol.227 col.113] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922041323/http://historical-debates.oireachtas.ie/D/0227/D.0227.196703070041.html |date=22 September 2012 }}</ref> This pre-emptively cancelled the contentious sections of the original Bill.<ref name="dailv227c113"/><ref name="acts67pub7">[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0007/index.html Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 1967] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220022553/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0007/index.html |date=20 December 2010 }} Irish Statute Book</ref> Next day, the President signed both bills into law.<ref name="acts67pub7"/><ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0006/index.html Income Tax Act, 1967] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212003132/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1967/en/act/pub/0006/index.html |date=12 December 2010 }} Irish Statute Book</ref>
|-
|{{dts|10 March 1976}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0014/index.html Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Bill, 1975]
|{{sortname|Cearbhall|Ó Dálaigh| |Odalaigh, Cearbhall}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=7&lang=eng 10 March 1976 – Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Bill, 1975] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231356/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=7&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/4D1DADB8E7DD7B8D802575F3002D4E53/$FILE/Criminal%20Law_%5B1977%5D%20IR%20129.htm In re Article 26 and the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Bill 1975] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220320/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/4D1DADB8E7DD7B8D802575F3002D4E53/$FILE/Criminal%20Law_%5B1977%5D%20IR%20129.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|[[James Dooge]], [[Cathaoirleach]] of the Seanad, was absent.<ref>{{cite news|title=Criminal Law Bill for Supreme Court|date=11 March 1976|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=1}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|23 September 1976}}&nbsp;(a)
| [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0033/index.html Emergency Powers Bill, 1976]
|{{sortname|Cearbhall|Ó Dálaigh| |Odalaigh, Cearbhall}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=8&lang=eng 23 September 1976 – Emergency Powers Bill, 1976] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231406/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=8&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/8AE4D75D995AA3FA802575F3002D5D4F/$FILE/Emergency%20Powers_%5B1977%5D%20IR%20159.htm In re Article 26 and the Emergency Powers Bill 1976] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220022/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/8AE4D75D995AA3FA802575F3002D5D4F/$FILE/Emergency%20Powers_%5B1977%5D%20IR%20159.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| The meeting, which discussed two bills, lasted 4 hours.<ref name="it19760924">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1976/0924/Pg001.html#Ar00100|title=President consults Council of State for four hours|date=24 September 1976|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|page=1|access-date=13 November 2010|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022133059/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1976/0924/Pg001.html#Ar00100|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Maurice E. Dockrell]] was the only absentee.<ref name="it19760924"/> President Ó Dálaigh and Attorney General [[Declan Costello]] debated points of law in great detail.<ref name="Duffy1991"/> Minister [[Paddy Donegan]] described the President's decision to refer the bill as a "thundering disgrace", precipitating Ó Dálaigh's resignation. James Dooge later suggested that Ó Dálaigh was more concerned with asserting his right to refer the bill than casting doubt on its Constitutionality.<ref name="it1476351">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/state-s-most-bizarre-body-to-advise-on-abortion-bill-1.1476351|title=State's most bizarre body to advise on abortion Bill|last=Collins|first=Stephen|date=28 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=1 August 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801165411/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/state-s-most-bizarre-body-to-advise-on-abortion-bill-1.1476351|url-status=live}}</ref> As the bill was formally stated to be [[state of emergency|emergency]] legislation, most Constitutional safeguards did not apply to it.<ref name="it1476351"/>
|-
|{{dts|23 September 1976}}&nbsp;(b)
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1976/act/32/enacted/en/html Criminal Law Bill, 1976]
|{{nowrap|{{sortname|Cearbhall|Ó Dálaigh| |Odalaigh, Cearbhall}}}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=9&lang=eng 23 September 1976 – Criminal Law Bill, 1976] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231457/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=9&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|Same meeting as preceding
|-
|{{dts|22 December 1981}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1981/44/ Housing (Private Rented Dwellings Bill), 1981]
|{{sortname|Patrick |Hillery}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=10&lang=eng 22 December 1981 – Housing (Private Rented Dwellings Bill), 1981] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231524/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=10&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/7FC625DAD10A956C802575F3002D6B7E/$FILE/Housing_%5B1983%5D%20IR%20181.htm In re Article 26 and the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Bill 1981] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220329/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/7FC625DAD10A956C802575F3002D6B7E/$FILE/Housing_%5B1983%5D%20IR%20181.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|20 December 1983}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1983/12/ Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1983]
|{{sortname|Patrick|Hillery}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=11&lang=eng 20 December 1983 – Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 1983] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231614/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=11&lang=eng |date=26 September 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/3B9009F8586D9528802575F3002DA959/$FILE/Electoral%201983_%5B1984%5D%20IR%20268.htm In re Article 26 and the Electoral (Amendment) Bill 1983] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220309/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/3B9009F8586D9528802575F3002DA959/$FILE/Electoral%201983_%5B1984%5D%20IR%20268.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|Absentees were [[Siobhán McKenna]], [[Seán MacEntee]], and [[James Dillon (Fine Gael politician)|James Dillon]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Council of State considers voting Bill|date=21 December 1983|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=6}}</ref> The bill would have given [[British citizen]]s the right to vote in all [[elections in the Republic of Ireland]]. The [[Ninth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland|Ninth Amendment of the Constitution]] in 1984 removed the obstacle with regard to Dáil elections but not [[Irish presidential election|Presidential elections]] or referendums ([[ordinary referendum|ordinary]] or [[Amendments to the Constitution of Ireland|constitutional]]).<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1984/en/act/cam/0009/index.html Ninth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1984] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412231820/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1984/en/act/cam/0009/index.html |date=12 April 2011 }} Irish Statute Book</ref> The Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1985 extended the franchise for Dáil elections.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1985/en/act/pub/0012/print.html Electoral (Amendment) Act, 1985] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011021823/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1985/en/act/pub/0012/print.html |date=11 October 2012 }} Irish Statute Book</ref>
|-
|{{dts|5 December 1984}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1984/en/act/pub/0022/index.html Criminal Justice Bill, 1983]
|{{sortname|Patrick|Hillery}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=12&lang=eng 5 December 1984 – Criminal Justice Bill, 1983] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154425/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=12&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|[[Siobhán McKenna]] and [[Máirín Bean Uí Dhálaigh]] were absent.<ref name="it19841206"/>
|-
|{{dts|22 June 1988}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1988/en/act/pub/0030/index.html Adoption (No. 2) Bill, 1987]
|{{sortname|Patrick|Hillery}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=13&lang=eng 22 June 1988 – Adoption (No. 2) Bill, 1987] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154427/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=13&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/F535AC2590A90B20802575F300338D7B/$FILE/Adoption_%5B1989%5D%20IR%20656.htm In re Article 26 and the Adoption (No.2) Bill 1987] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220417/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/F535AC2590A90B20802575F300338D7B/$FILE/Adoption_%5B1989%5D%20IR%20656.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|Absentees were [[Tom O'Higgins]] and [[Jack Lynch]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hillery consults Council of State on Adoption Bill|last=Brennock|first=Mark|date=22 June 1988|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=9}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|30 October 1991}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1991/en/act/pub/0026/index.html Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1990]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=14&lang=eng 30 October 1991 – Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 1990] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154430/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=14&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|1 December 1993}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1993/32/ Matrimonial Home Bill, 1993]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=16&lang=eng 1 December 1993 – Matrimonial Home Bill, 1993] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154435/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=16&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/63BFD91A5F3B8432802575F30032F488/$FILE/Matrimonial_%5B1994%5D%201%20IR%20305.htm In re Article 26 and Matrimonial Home Bill 1993] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220013/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/63BFD91A5F3B8432802575F30032F488/$FILE/Matrimonial_%5B1994%5D%201%20IR%20305.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|1 March 1994}}
|[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1994/en/act/pub/0002/index.html Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill, 1993]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=17&lang=eng 1 March 1994 – Criminal Justice Public Order Bill, 1993] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154437/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=17&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|16 March 1995}}
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1995/act/5/enacted/en/html Regulation of Information (Services Outside the State For Termination of Pregnancies) Bill, 1995]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Referred and upheld<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=19&lang=eng 16 March 1995 – Regulation of Information services outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies Bill, 1995.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154442/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=19&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/DE984F5A426E14AA802575F300331389/$FILE/Information_%5B1995%5D%201%20IR%201.htm In re Article 26 and the Regulation of Information (Services outside the State for the Termination of Pregnancies) Bill 1995] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220123/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/DE984F5A426E14AA802575F300331389/$FILE/Information_%5B1995%5D%201%20IR%201.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| {{main|In re Article 26 and the Regulation of Information (Services outside the State for Termination of Pregnancies) Bill 1995}}
|-
|{{dts|1 April 1997}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1996/38/ Employment Equality Bill, 1996]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=20&lang=eng 1 April 1997 – Employment Equality Bill, 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154444/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=20&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/EB802820AD644CFC802575F3003323B1/$FILE/Employment%20Equality_%5B1997%5D%202%20IR%20321.htm In re Article 26 and the Employment Equality Bill 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220414/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/EB802820AD644CFC802575F3003323B1/$FILE/Employment%20Equality_%5B1997%5D%202%20IR%20321.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|15 of 22 members attended, including the Taoiseach.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/1997/0402/97040200052.html|title=15 attend meeting on Bill|date=4 April 1997|work=Irish Times|access-date=12 November 2010|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022133153/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/1997/0402/97040200052.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After the bill was struck down, the Employment Equality Act 1998 was passed instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/1998/02/12/00008.asp|title=Employment Equality Bill, 1997: Second Stage.|date=12 February 1998|work=Seanad Éireann debates|publisher=Oireachtas|pages=Vol.154 No.4 p.8|access-date=25 July 2013|archive-date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113185848/http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/1998/02/12/00008.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/bills28/bills/1997/5897/document1.htm|title=Employment Equality Bill, 1997 [Seanad] (No 58 of 1997)|work=Bills 1997-2013|publisher=Oireachtas|access-date=25 July 2013|archive-date=14 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614210218/http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Fbills28%2Fbills%2F1997%2F5897%2Fdocument1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|6 May 1997}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/1997/6/ Equal Status Bill, 1997]
|{{sortname|Mary|Robinson}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=21&lang=eng 6 May 1997 – Equal Status Bill, 1997] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154446/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=21&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/40034238D4C01831802575F300332EE3/$FILE/Equal%20Status_%5B1997%5D%202%20IR%20387.htm In re Article 26 and the Equal Status Bill 1997] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220314/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/40034238D4C01831802575F300332EE3/$FILE/Equal%20Status_%5B1997%5D%202%20IR%20387.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| [[Charles Haughey]] was absent.<ref name="it19970726">{{cite news|title=Haughey's fall from grace does not lighten the burden of the taxpayer|last=Maher|first=John|date=26 July 1997|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=9}}</ref>
|-
|{{dts|30 June 2000}}&nbsp;(a)
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2000/act/30/enacted/en/html Planning and Development Bill 1999]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Referred Part V; upheld<ref name="pres1999"/><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/312ADADEE5E1311F802575F300333DEA/$FILE/Planning_%5B2000%5D%202%20IR%20321.htm In re Article 26 and the Planning and Development Bill 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220305/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/312ADADEE5E1311F802575F300333DEA/$FILE/Planning_%5B2000%5D%202%20IR%20321.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|30 June 2000}}&nbsp;(b)
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2000/act/29/enacted/en/html Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill 1999]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Referred §§ 5 and 10; upheld<ref name="pres1999">[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=23&lang=eng 30 June 2000 – (a) Planning and Development Bill 1999 and (b) Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154450/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=23&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/D5707031F1F3B3B1802575F300334AE1/$FILE/Illegal%20Immigrants_%5B2000%5D%202%20IR%20360.htm In re Article 26 and the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220051/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/D5707031F1F3B3B1802575F300334AE1/$FILE/Illegal%20Immigrants_%5B2000%5D%202%20IR%20360.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
| Same meeting as preceding
|-
|{{dts|8 April 2002}}
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2002/act/9/section/24/enacted/en/html Section 24] of the [https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2002/act/9/enacted/en/html Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 2001]
|{{sortname|Mary |McAleese}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=24&lang=eng 8 April 2002 – Section 24 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 2001] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154452/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=24&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|21 December 2004}}
|[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2004/57/ Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Referred and struck down<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=25&lang=eng 21 December 2004 – Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154455/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=25&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref><ref>[http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/%28WebFiles%29/8656ED6FCD1EAD03802575F300335737/$FILE/Health_%5B2005%5D%201%20IR%20105.htm In re Article 26 and the Health (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2004] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817220339/http://www.supremecourt.ie/supremecourt/sclibrary3.nsf/(WebFiles)/8656ED6FCD1EAD03802575F300335737/$FILE/Health_%5B2005%5D%201%20IR%20105.htm |date=17 August 2010 }} Supreme Court</ref>
|[[Charles Haughey]] was the only absentee.<ref name="rte2004"/>
|-
|{{dts|9 May 2007}}
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2007/act/29/enacted/en/html Criminal Justice Bill 2007]
|{{sortname|Mary |McAleese}}
|Signed without referral<ref>[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=37&lang=eng 9 May 2007 – Criminal Justice Bill 2007] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154459/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=37&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
|
|-
|{{dts|22 July 2009}}&nbsp;(a)
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/31/enacted/en/html Defamation Bill 2006]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Signed without referral<ref name="pres2009">[http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=38&lang=eng 22 July 2009 – (a) Defamation Bill 2006 and (b) Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016154501/http://www.president.ie/index.php?section=18&meeting=38&lang=eng |date=16 October 2011 }} Office of the President</ref>
| 19 of 22 members of the council were present; the meeting lasted over 3 hours.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0723/crime.html|title=President signs controversial bills into law|date=23 July 2009|work=[[RTÉ.ie]]|access-date=16 January 2011|archive-date=25 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925083711/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0723/crime.html|url-status=live}}</ref> See also [[blasphemy law in Ireland]].
|-
|{{dts|22 July 2009}}&nbsp;(b)
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/32/enacted/en/html Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Signed without referral<ref name="pres2009"/>
|Same meeting as preceding
|-
|{{dts|21 December 2010}}
|[https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2010/act/36/enacted/en/html Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Bill 2010]
|{{sortname|Mary|McAleese}}
|Signed without referral<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30486537.html|title=President signs Credit Institutions Bill|date=21 December 2010|work=[[Irish Examiner]]|access-date=21 December 2010|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618063254/https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30486537.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|See [[2008–2011 Irish banking crisis]]
|-
|{{dts|29 July 2013}}
| [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/35/enacted/en/html Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013] 
| {{sortname|Michael D.|Higgins}}
| Signed without referral<ref name="ind29459937">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-higgins-signs-abortion-bill-into-law-29459937.html|title=President Higgins signs abortion bill into law|date=30 July 2013|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=30 July 2013|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828000454/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-higgins-signs-abortion-bill-into-law-29459937.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| See [[Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013]].<ref name="it1474031">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/higgins-to-consult-council-of-state-on-abortion-bill-1.1474031|title=Higgins to consult Council of State on abortion Bill|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=24 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=24 July 2013|archive-date=26 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726034250/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/higgins-to-consult-council-of-state-on-abortion-bill-1.1474031|url-status=live}}</ref> Of 24 members, 21 attended; Mary Robinson, [[John Bruton]] and [[Albert Reynolds]] were absent, though Robinson and Bruton made written submissions.<ref name="it1478493">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/council-of-state-meeting-on-abortion-bill-ends-1.1478493|title=Council of State meeting on abortion Bill ends|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=29 July 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|access-date=29 July 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730094809/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/council-of-state-meeting-on-abortion-bill-ends-1.1478493|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ind29458018">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/higgins-urged-by-advisers-to-sign-abortion-bill-into-law-29458018.html|title=Higgins urged by advisers to sign abortion bill into law|last=Sheahan|first=Fionnan|date=30 July 2013|work=[[Irish Independent]]|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> The meeting ran from 3.15pm to 6.45pm.<ref name="it1478493"/>
|-
| {{dts|29 December 2015}}
| [https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2015/102/ International Protection Bill 2015]
| {{sortname|Michael D.|Higgins}}
| Signed without referral<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/council-of-state-president-michael-d-higgins-2524581-Dec2015/|title=After calling in help, President Higgins has signed 'rushed' new asylum laws|last=O'Carroll|first=Sinead|date=30 December 2015|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|access-date=30 December 2015|archive-date=20 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120112458/http://www.thejournal.ie/council-of-state-president-michael-d-higgins-2524581-Dec2015/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Liam Cosgrave, Mary Robinson and Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh did not attend.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/council-of-state-asylum-2522432-Dec2015/|title=There were some familiar faces at this morning's Council of State meeting|last=Ryan|first=Nicky|date=29 December 2015|work=[[TheJournal.ie]]|access-date=30 December 2015|archive-date=31 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231220813/http://www.thejournal.ie/council-of-state-asylum-2522432-Dec2015/|url-status=live}}</ref> The press release stated the meeting would consider whether:<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/meeting-of-the-council-of-state|title=Meeting of the Council of State|date=23 December 2015|publisher=Office of the President|access-date=30 December 2015|archive-date=29 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229035500/http://www.president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/meeting-of-the-council-of-state|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* sections 56 and 57 of the bill violated any part of the Constitution
* any part of the bill violated [[Article 42A of the Constitution of Ireland|Article 42A]] of the Constitution
* section 78 of the bill violated Article 29.6 of the Constitution
|-
| {{dts|11 October 2023}}
| [https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2022/42/ Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022]
| {{sortname|Michael D.|Higgins}}
| Referred §§ 9, 10, 39, 40(2), 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 51, 57 and 58; upheld.<ref>{{cite web |title=President Higgins signs Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 |url=https://president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/president-higgins-signs-judicial-appointments-commission-bill-2022 |website=[[President of Ireland]] |access-date=8 December 2023 |date=8 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://president.ie/en/media-library/news-releases/president-higgins-refers-the-judicial-appointments-commission-bill-2022-to-the-supreme-court |title=President Higgins refers the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 to the Supreme Court |date=13 October 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023 |publisher=Office of the President }}</ref><ref name="rte20231013">{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/1013/1410776-supreme-court/ |work=RTÉ News |title=New legislation on how judges appointed to be referred to Supreme Court for decision |date=13 October 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023 |first=Orla |last=O'Donnell |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013153213/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/1013/1410776-supreme-court/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| There was concern that the bill restricts the Government's discretion in appointing judges.<ref name="rte20231013"/><ref name="McGee20231014"/> Higgins said two submissions had been received, one from [[Michael McDowell (politician)|Michael McDowell]].<ref name="McGee20231014"/> Present were 19 members; absent were [[Mary McAleese]] (in Rome<ref name="McGee20231014"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pepper |first1=Diarmuid |title=Mary McAleese calls on Catholic Church to 'reform out-dated teachings' and ensure equality |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/mary-mcaleese-catholic-church-synod-rome-vatican-6195946-Oct2023/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |work=TheJournal.ie |date=13 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014023517/https://www.thejournal.ie/mary-mcaleese-catholic-church-synod-rome-vatican-6195946-Oct2023/ |url-status=live }}</ref>), [[Bertie Ahern]] (in the US<ref name="McGee20231014"/>), [[John Bruton]], [[Enda Kenny]], and [[Ronan Keane]].<ref name="McGee20231014">{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Harry |title=How the Council of State advised President at meeting on judicial appointments Bill |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/10/14/council-of-state-convened-to-decide-on-referral-of-judicial-appointments-commission-bill/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=13 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013210643/https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2023/10/14/council-of-state-convened-to-decide-on-referral-of-judicial-appointments-commission-bill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Discussion focused on §§ 47 and 51.<ref name="McGee20231014"/> Judgment was delivered on 8 December 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carolan |first1=Mary |title=Supreme Court rules new system for appointing judges is constitutional |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2023/12/08/supreme-court-rules-new-system-for-appointing-judges-is-constitutional/ |access-date=8 December 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=8 December 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=In the matter of Article 26 of the Constitution and in the matter of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 [2023] IESC 34 |url=https://www.courts.ie/view/judgments/af4b1773-a5c7-4626-9b01-9b8ab9b690e2/d46d9c8a-13aa-4d17-9739-7eac79605711/2023_IESC_34.pdf/pdf |website=[[Courts Service]] |date=8 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|15 July 2024}}
| [https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2024/29/ Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024]
| {{sortname|Michael D.|Higgins}}
| Signed without referral<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horgan-Jones |first1=Jack |title=President signs Bill relating to Defence Forces after convening Council of State |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/07/17/president-signs-bill-relating-to-defence-forces-after-convening-council-of-state/ |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=17 July 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>
| [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]] representative groups had expressed concern that sections 11 and 24 of the bill would unduly constrain their activities. The meeting lasted from about 3pm to 5.30pm. Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Brian Cowen and Mícheál Martin were absent.<ref>{{multiref|
{{cite news |last1=Gallagher |first1=Conor |title=Why is the President convening the Council of State? |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/07/15/why-is-the-president-convening-the-council-of-state/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |date=15 July 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}|
{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=David |title=Council of State meeting to consider Defence Bill |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0715/1459848-council-of-state/ |website=RTÉ News |access-date=15 July 2024 |language=en |date=15 July 2024}}|
{{cite news |last1=McGee |first1=Harry |title=Council of State meets to advise President on Bill bringing changes in Defence Forces|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/07/15/council-of-state-meets-to-advise-president-on-bill-bringing-changes-in-defence-forces/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |date=15 July 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}
}}</ref> 
|}

==See also==
* [[:Category:Members of the Council of State (Ireland)]]
* [[Council of State]]
* [[Privy Council of Ireland]]

==References==
* {{cite web|url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html|title=Constitution of Ireland|date=September 2012|work=[[Irish Statute Book]]|access-date=24 October 2023}}

===Footnotes===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikisource|Constitution of Ireland#THE COUNCIL OF STATE|Constitution of Ireland: Council of State}}
* {{cite web|url=https://president.ie/en/the-president/council-of-state |title=Council of State |website=President of Ireland}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html|title=Constitution of Ireland|date=September 2012|work=[[Irish Statute Book]]|access-date=24 October 2023}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Council of State (Ireland)}}
[[Category:Council of State (Ireland)| ]]
[[Category:Politics of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Office of the President of Ireland]]