Power And Decision-Making Flashcards
What is the president?
They’re the 1st citizen in the state
How long does the president hold office for?
7 years
How many times can the president be elected?
Twice
Where does the president live?
Aras an Uachtarain in the Pheonix Park in Dublin
Where is the job of the president described?
In the constitution
What does the president do?
- Give the Taoiseach and Ministers their seals of office
- Sign Bills into law
- Represent Ireland abroad
What is the Taoiseach?
The leader of the government
What does the Taoiseach do?
They choose the time for a general election, meet with other European leaders and select 11 out of the 60 senators in the Seanad (upper house). They also choose the Ministers
How many Ministers are there?
The Constitution says there can be between 7 and 15 Minsters and no more
What is the Tanaiste?
They’re next up in line with the Taoiseach and fills in for them when they’re absent
What is the Cabinet made out of?
It’s made up out of the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and all the Ministers
What does the Attorney General do?
Advises the government on all legal issues
What does the Chief Whip do?
They decide on the Order of Business ( an agenda) for the Dail
What does the Ceann Comhairle do?
They’re the chairperson of the Dail and keeps order
What is our Constitution called?
It’s called the Bunreacht na hEireann
What does the constitution do?
It sets out the type of government we have
What is our government called?
The Oireachtas
What is the Oireachtas made up of?
- President
- Seanad Eireann
- Dail Eireann
What is a Presidential Commission?
When a president is unavailable (or died or resigned), the Presidential Commission takes on their roles
What is the Presidential Commission made up of?
It’s made up of the Chief Justice, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dail Eireann and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Eireann
What is the Seanad?
They are 43 elected TD’s, outgoing senators and councillors; 6 of which are elected by graduates of the National University of Ireland and Trinity College called senators
What does the Seanad do?
They debate and discuss big issues (they play a big role when new Bills are passed) and can even introduce their own bills too. In the evening, senators might do constituency work or meet local community groups and political organisations
Who is Eileen Flynn?
She’s the first person from the Travelling community to have been elected into the Oireachtas and nominated by the Taoiseach to the Seanad
Who is the Attorney General?
Rossa Fanning SC
Who is the Cheif Whip?
Hildegarde Naughton
Who is the Ceann Comhairle?
Séan Ó Fearghaíl
