In profile: The Council of State

In April 2026, President Catherine Connolly made her seven appointments to the Council of State, an expert body which advises the President on matters including the constitutionality of legislation.

The body includes seven individuals appointed by the sitting president, as well as the sitting Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Chief Justice, presidents of the Court of Appeal and High Court, Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, and the attorney general, as well as former presidents, taoisigh, and chief justices.

Should this group decide that it has concerns over a piece of proposed legislation, it is referred to the Supreme Court, which makes the final decision on whether the potential new law is constitutional or not.

Three of President Connolly’s appointments are based in the North, a record for any President’s Council of State and a possible signal of appreciation for Connolly’s electoral support from Sinn Féin.

The seven appointments made by President Connolly are: Linda Ervine, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Colin Harvey, Kathleen Lynch, Donncha O’Connell, Conor O’Mahony, and Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh.