[5] Since the 1937 Constitution, the Ceann Comhairle has been an ex officio member of the Council of State, beginning with Frank Fahy.

The position of Ceann Comhairle was created on the first day of the Dáil on 21 January 1919, when it was first established as a breakaway revolutionary parliament.

The office was continued under the 1922–1937 Irish Free State, the constitution of which referred to the office-holder as the "Chairman of Dáil Éireann".

The practice of automatically re-electing the Ceann Comhairle in a general election was introduced by a constitutional amendment in 1927.

As an ordinary TD he was no longer entitled to be returned automatically at the next general election in 2011, in which he lost his seat.

Then, the House will vote on a formal motion to appoint the member in question to the position of Ceann Comhairle.

For each Ceann Comhairle, this tables lists the number of the Dáil, the period in which they held office, their constituencies and their political affiliation immediately prior to their appointment.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle holds office as the deputy chairperson of Dáil Éireann under Article 15.9.1 of the constitution.