Every year, local authorities throughout Ireland elect a Chairman or Cathaoirleach for a term of one year and a Vice-Chairman or Leas-Cathaoirleach from among their members. (Cathaoirleach is pronouned 'Caw-Hear-Lock').
The Cathaoirleach chairs the meetings of the local authorities. The Leas-Cathaoirleach chairs meetings when the Cathaoirleach is not present.
The Cathaoirleach of Dublin City Council and Cork City Council is called the Lord Mayor of the city and the Leas-Cathaoirleach is called the Deputy Lord Mayor.
The Cathaoirleach of the other City Councils and Town or Borough Councils is called the Mayor and the Leas-Cathaoirleach is called the Deputy Mayor.
The Cathaoirleach takes the chair (or presides) at meetings of the local authority. On an occasion where this is an equal division of votes on an issue, they may exercise a second or casting vote (except however, in the case of when a new Cathaoirleach is being elected). The Cathaoirleach is responsible for the conduct of business and maintenance of order at meetings and can call for (or requisition) a special meeting of the council and obtain information from the County Manager on relevant matters.
Every local authority must elect one of it's member to hold office for a term of one year, until a successor is elected at the next annual meeting. It is possible that someone may be re-elected for a successive term. This election takes place at the annual meeting and is the first business of the meeting to take place. There are special rules which apply to the election of the Cathaoirleach and these rules are set out in Section 27 of the Local Government Act, 2001.
If a casual vacancy occurs in the office of the Cathaoirleach, (for example, if he or she dies or resigns and there is more than 12 months left in their term as a local representative), a by-election will be held in the local authority franchise area to fill the place. If there is less than 12 months until the next local authority election, the members of the local authority will elect one of their number to take office for the remaining period.
The Cathaoirleach of the local authority or Council only serves for one year. A person may however be re-elected for a successive term.
In the case of County or City Councils, the Cathaoirleach chairs the Corporate Policy Group (GPG), a committee which provides a forum to consider policy issues that affect the entire Council. Read more about local authority committees here.
The office of the Cathaoirleach also has a representational role on behalf of the local authority. This means that the Cathaoirleach represents the local authority at civic, public and ceremonial events in Ireland.
A person acting as Cathaoirleach is paid an annual allowance that is fixed by the local authority.
In order to serve as Cathaoirleach of a local authority or City Council, you must be an elected member of the authority. Further information on nomination of candidates for local authority elections in Ireland is available here. Information on local elections in Ireland is available here.