The Irish Houses of Parliament

• The Oireachtas consists of the Dáil (lower house) and the Seanad (upper house).

The Dáil

• Is comprised of directly elected Teachtaí Dála (TDs).
• It has more authority than the Seanad.
• It can ensure legislation is passed even if the Seanad opposes it, provided there is the necessary majority.
• It has 166 TDs.
• Representation levels within each constituency are subject to review.

The Seanad (Senate)

• Consists of 60 senators.
• Senators are not directly elected by citizens.
• A "general election" for the Seanad is held within 90 days of the Dáil's dissolution.
• The Seanad meets two days a week: Wednesday and Thursday.
• Its main function is to scrutinize legislation sent by the Dáil.
• Members of the Seanad and Dáil sit together on Joint Committees to discuss and scrutinize legislative proposals.
• The composition includes:
  • 11 senators nominated by the Taoiseach.
  • 43 senators elected by panels representing sectional interests (e.g., administration, agriculture, culture & education, industry & commerce, labour).
  • 6 senators elected by graduates of NUI and the University of Dublin.
• The political composition of the Seanad generally mirrors the strength of parties in the Dáil.

The President

• Is the Head of State.
• Directly elected by citizens every 7 years.
• Can hold office for a maximum of 2 terms
• A candidate needs the support of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least 4 administrative counties to be nominated for a presidential election.
• Presidential duties are mainly ceremonial.
• Presidential role is defined by the Constitution.
• The role has no executive power.
• Acts on the advice of the Government.
• All legislation must be signed into law by the President.
• Can refer bills to the Supreme Court for a decision on constitutionality.
• Shall not sign a bill into law if the Supreme Court decides a provision is unconstitutional.

The Government

• Consists of between 7–15 members.
• Is responsible to the Dáil.
• Is collectively responsible for the departments of state, each headed by a minister.
• Members must be members of the Oireachtas.
• Meetings of ministers are known as Cabinet Meetings.
• Cabinet Meetings are confidential unless a High Court order decides that disclosure should be made, due to an overriding public interest or in the interests of the administration of justice.

The Taoiseach

• The Head of Government or Prime Minister.
• The Tánaiste is the deputy prime minister.
• The Taoiseach can ask a minister to resign at any time, ‘for reasons which to them seem sufficient’.
• If the minister does not resign, the appointment may be terminated by the President on the Taoiseach’s instruction.
• If the Taoiseach resigns from office, all other government ministers are taken to have resigned.
• Ministers continue to hold office pending the appointment of their successors.