Types of committees
For example, Committee Stage lets TDs test a Bill clause by clause and propose amendments; a policy hearing gives witnesses room to explain how the issue affects them.
Common assumption: Every committee can compel anyone to attend.
In fact: Most hearings are by invitation. A committee needs specific powers and House approval to compel a person or documents.
Common assumption: A committee report changes the law by itself.
In fact: Reports make findings and recommendations. A Bill still has to pass the required stages in both Houses and be signed by the President.
Common assumption: The PAC decides whether a policy is good.
In fact: The PAC examines how public money was spent. Other committees examine policy merits.
| Type | Members | Main role |
|---|---|---|
| Select Committee | Dáil TDs only | Committee Stage of bills; scrutiny of a specific department. |
| Joint Committee | TDs and Senators | Policy scrutiny, pre-legislative scrutiny, and reports. |
| Special Committee | TDs only (can include Senators) | Time-limited investigation of a specific issue. |
| Public Accounts Committee (PAC) | Dáil TDs only | Examines audited accounts and C&AG reports; spending watchdog. |
Each committee shadows one or more Government departments. The Joint Committee on Health, for example, works alongside the Department of Health and can question the Minister for Health and senior officials from the HSE.
How committees scrutinise bills
Committee Stage is when a bill is examined section by section. The relevant Select Committee considers each clause and any amendments tabled by government or opposition TDs. Witnesses — including legal experts, advocacy groups, and affected citizens — can be invited to give oral evidence.
Pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) allows a committee to review the General Scheme (heads) of a bill before it is formally introduced. This is where expert witnesses and advocacy groups have the most influence, as the bill has not yet been fixed in detail.
Questioning ministers and officials
Joint Committees regularly invite ministers, Secretaries General, and agency heads to appear and answer questions. Unlike Dáil Questions (which are brief), committee sessions can last for hours and allow TDs to probe in depth. Committees can also request documents and correspondence from departments.
If a minister or official refuses to appear or answer, the committee can report the matter to the Dáil, which can then pass a motion. However, committees have no power to hold individuals in contempt — that power lies with the Dáil itself.
The Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is the most powerful Dáil committee. It examines the annual appropriation accounts of all departments and reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG). The PAC focuses on whether money was spent legally and efficiently, not on the merits of policy.
The Accounting Officer — usually the Secretary General of a department — is personally responsible for answering to the PAC. The PAC can issue critical reports that generate significant media and political pressure for reform.
Committee reports and influence
Committees produce reports — on legislation, investigations, and policy reviews — which are laid before the Oireachtas. The Government must respond formally within 60 days. Reports often contain recommendations that influence subsequent legislation or departmental policy.
All committee hearings and reports are publicly available on the Oireachtas website, including transcripts and video recordings of sessions.