Cathaoirleach

Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann
Incumbent Denis O'Donovan since 8 June 2016
Appointer	Elected by the members of Seanad Éireann at start of a new term after a general election.
Term length	No term limits are imposed on the office.
Inaugural holder	Lord Glenavy
Formation	6 December 1922
Website	Official website

Cathaoirleach (/kəˈhɪərləx/;Irish for "chairperson"; plural: Cathaoirligh) is the title of the chair (or presiding officer) of Seanad Éireann, the sixty-member upper house of the Oireachtas, the legislature of Ireland. The current Cathaoirleach is Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan, since 8 June 2016.

The Cathaoirleach is the sole judge of order and has a range of powers and functions namely:

The Cathaoirleach is also an ex-officio member of the Presidential Commission, the collective vice-presidency of Ireland.

This list includes the panel (since 1938) and political affiliation of each Cathaoirleach as well as the number of their Seanad Éireann and time they spent in the position.

The Cathaoirleach's deputy is the Leas-Chathaoirleach. The current Leas-Cathaoirleach is Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan, since 15 June 2016.

The term Cathaoirleach is also used in a generic sense for chairs of various organisations and local authorities. Many voluntary organisations, associations and clubs also employ this term, for example county boards and clubs of the Gaelic Athletic Association.