Role of Minister of State (Chief Whip)

The Government Chief Whip is the most senior Minister of State and is usually the only Minister of State to attend Government Meetings. The Chief Whip is also assigned the functions relating to the Central Statistics Office.

The role of the Whip is primarily that of the disciplinarian for all Government Parties i.e. to ensure that all deputies, including Ministers, attend for Dáil Business and follow the Government line on all issues.

Functions/ responsibilities include:

• Attendance at Government Meetings;
• Preparation of weekly brief for Taoiseach on legislation in preparation;
• Scheduling and monitoring of Dáil Business;
• Operation of the Pairing System;
• Dáil Reform;
• Leinster House accommodation for Political Parties;
• Chairing Legislation Committee

• Central Statistics Office
• Minister of State and Chief Whip's Private Office
• Ministers of State Speeches and Press Releases