Government institutions

Question 1

Constitution

Answer 1

Legal document containing the fundamental laws and principles by which a state is to be governed

Question 2

Referendum

Answer 2

an amendment to the constitution to reflect new circumstances in society

Question 3

state

Answer 3

an organised political community living under one system of government

Question 4

branches of the state

Answer 4

◍ legislature
◍ executive
◍ judiciary

Question 5

Legislature

Answer 5

◍ law making governmental branch
◍ national parliament is the legislature

Question 6

executive

Answer 6

◍ enforces the law

Question 7

judiciary

Answer 7

◍ responsible for interpreting and upholding the law

Question 8

Separation of powers
Key thinker and purpose

Answer 8

◍ Baron de Montesquieu
◍ ensures no branch will become too powerful or gain complete control over another

Question 9

Checks and balances

Answer 9

system that avoids the abuse of power by any one branch or individual.

Question 10

Oireachtas

Answer 10

◍Legislative branch comprised of 3 parts
◍ Dáil Éireann,Seanad and president

Question 11

Dáil Éireann

Answer 11

◍ main house of parliament
◍ proposes new laws,debates laws and makes amendments

Question 12

Seanad

Answer 12

◍ Second house of legislature
◍ Reviews laws from dáil

Question 13

the committee system

Answer 13

the dáil and the seanad can each have specific committees with their members

Question 14

Seanad Positives

Answer 14

◍ The seanad selection process allows for diversity of views ,provides minority voices
◍ best system for selecting senators w. technical skills on policy making

Question 15

Seanad Negatives

Answer 15

◍ selection system is elitist and undemocratic as it excludes majority of voters
◍ TD’S that loose seats in general elction often are rewarded w. seanad seats if their party leader becomes Taoiseach.

Question 16

President

Answer 16

◍head of state
◍ all legislation must be signed by pr
◍ chief ambassador for the country

Question 17

General election

Answer 17

◍ allows citizens to vote for ppl who will represent them in Dáil
◍ Held: 5 years
◍ Voters: Irish/british citizens,18+ registered
◍ Candidates: irish citizen over 21

Question 18

Local elections

Answer 18

◍ ppl elect councillors to represent them in their local authorities
◍Held:5 years
◍ Voters:18+,live in local electoral area
◍Candidates: over 18

Question 19

President elections

Answer 19

◍ppl vote for head of state
◍held:7 years
◍vote:irish citizen18+
◍ Candidates:Irish citizen 35+ who was nominated for the role

Question 20

European elections

Answer 20

◍ EU citizens choose who will represent thier interests in european parliament
◍Vote:18+ EU Citizen
◍ Candidates:over 21,residentialEU citizen

Question 21

Seanad elections

Answer 21

◍voters choose senators for the upper house of the oireachtas
◍ Vote: Taoiseach,Trinity,NUI Students

Question 22

“Proportional Representation - Single Transferable Vote.(PR-STV)

Answer 22

◍ voting system whereby votes rank candidates in order of preference

Question 23

PR-STV Advantages

Answer 23

◍ society is comprised of diverse ideas w. STV theres increased levels of miority voices and opinions
◍STV ensures high value of party proportionality and allows small and independent candidates to win seats

Question 24

PR-STV Disadvantages

Answer 24

◍ system is associated w. creating weak coalition governments that promote political instability
◍ system promotes constituency loyalty rather than national policy positions

Question 25

First past the past

Answer 25

◍ votes cast their votw for a single candidate and the candidate with the most votes wins the election

Question 26

FPTF Advantages

Answer 26

◍ easy for voters to understand and carry out
◍ atrong constituency MP relationship as one representative is elected for each constituency

Question 27

FPTP Disadvantages

Answer 27

◍ system encourages ppl not to vote as they believe their vote has little impact
◍ parties don’t always get fair representation
◍ ppl are more likely to vote for the popular parties