Irish Constitution Overview

What is required for amendments to the Constitution to take place?

How many constitutional referendums have been held to date?

What happens if no petition challenging the result of a referendum is presented within 7 days?

What organization provides legal advice regarding constitutional rights in Ireland?

What presumption exists regarding laws that are enacted?

What is the primary language recognized in the Irish Constitution?

Which articles of the Irish Constitution outline the fundamental rights of citizens?

What does Article 15.4 state regarding laws enacted by the Oireachtas?

How many articles are there in the Irish Constitution?

What is the role of the President concerning bills passed by the Oireachtas according to Article 25?

Which article governs the process for amending the Constitution?

What happens if a proposed law is found to conflict with the Constitution?

Which article allows the President to refer a Bill to the Supreme Court for review?

Irish Constitution

Ratified in 1937, the fundamental law of Ireland
Written in both Irish and English
Article 8: Irish as first official language, English as second
Outlines branches of government, courts, and citizens' rights
Part of wider human rights framework (UN treaties, ECHR, EU Charter)

Structure of the Constitution

50 articles
Articles 1-39: State functions, agencies, separation of powers
Articles 40-44: Fundamental rights of citizens
Article 45: Directive principles of social policy
Article 46: Constitution amendment process
Article 47: Referendums
Articles 48-50: Repealed previous constitution, continued laws

Constitution and Legislation

Article 15.4: Oireachtas cannot enact laws repugnant to the Constitution (superior to other laws)
Article 15.4.2: Repugnant parts of existing laws are invalid
New laws repugnant to Constitution cannot be enacted unless Constitution is amended.
Article 25: Bills presented to the President for signature after passing both Oireachtas houses
Article 26: President can refer a Bill to Supreme Court for constitutionality check
Laws presumed constitutional until proven otherwise
High Court has jurisdiction to invalidate repugnant laws

Amending the Constitution

Amendments require a constitutional referendum (Irish people's consent)
40 referendums held, 32 resulted in amendments
Amendment Acts listed in Constitution on irishstatutebook.ie
High Court considers any petition against referendum results within 7 days of publication
President signs amended Bill changing the Constitution

Further Information

Full text accessible at irishstatutebook.ie
Copies available from Government Publications Office and bookshops
Contact solicitor for constitutional rights violations
Law Society of Ireland lists practicing solicitors
FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) provides assistance
Citizens Information Centres have information about FLAC phone clinics

This quiz covers key aspects of the Irish Constitution, ratified in 1937, including its structure, the importance of the Irish language, and the relationship between the Constitution and legislation. Test your understanding of the 50 articles that define the fundamental rights of citizens and the functions of the state.