<P> According to the most recent standing orders, published in 2011, the Quorum for the Irish Parliament (The Oireachtas) for both the house and senate is 20 members . </P> <P> The chamber of Dail Eireann is rarely full outside question time, with often just one government representative (often an ordinary member of parliament, not a minister) present to answer opposition questions . </P> <P> In Congress of the Philippines, half of the membership (13 in the Senate and 149 in the House of Representatives) is needed to muster a quorum . If someone contests the lack of quorum, a roll call shall be done, and if there is indeed less than a majority of members present, the meeting shall be adjourned . </P> <P> Both majority and minority blocs in Congress have used the lack of quorum in defeating bills that they don't want to be passed without putting it to a vote . After an election during the lame - duck session, quorums are notoriously difficult to muster, more so in the House of Representatives as winning incumbents may opt to go on vacation, and defeated incumbents may opt to not to show up . </P>

Term meaning more than half the senators present