TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen will remain in office until a successor is elected. This normally takes place on the day the next Dáil assembles.
In the unlikely event that the new Dáil fails to elect a taoiseach on its first attempt, Mr Cowen will remain in office until his successor has been approved by a majority of TDs. The same applies to other members of the outgoing Cabinet.
Article 28.11 of the Constitution states: “The members of the government in office at the date of dissolution of Dáil Éireann shall continue to hold office until their successors have been appointed.”
If an outgoing taoiseach decides not to stand for election to the new Dáil, he or she continues in office until the new taoiseach is approved.
The same applies to other members of cabinet.
If a taoiseach stands for re-election to the Dáil and fails, he or she still continues in office until a successor receives Dáil approval.
Likewise with other cabinet members.
Article 28.11 also states: “If the taoiseach at any time resigns from office, the other members of the government shall be deemed also to have resigned from office, but the taoiseach and the other members of the government shall continue to carry on their duties until their successors shall have been appointed.”
