Donations Parties must make a return of all donations over a certain amount. The return must be made annually. It must give details of the donors. Donations received by subsidiary organizations under the umbrella of a political party must also be returned. This may include a branch or association controlled by the party or its officials. Each member of the Oireachtas, European Parliament must make […]
Presidential Elections The President is elected directly. The Presidential Elections Act, 1993 and the Electoral Acts, generally apply. The Presidential elections take place within sixty days of the end of the President’s seven-year term. Where the President’s term ends early by death, resignation or incapacity, the election must be held within sixty days. The Minister for the Environment appoints the day of the election. The […]
The Commission The Electoral provides for the establishment of the Electoral Commission, which will conduct a range of electoral functions and oversee Ireland’s electoral system and processes. The Commission initially comprises seven members – a chairperson who is a serving or retired senior court judge nominated by the Chief Justice, two ex officio members (the Clerk of the Dáil and the Ombudsman) and four ordinary members. […]
Online Political Advertising Electoral Reform Act 2022 out the regulatory framework to ensure transparency regarding online political advertisements purchased for placement, display, promotion or dissemination during electoral periods. This is required to be commenced. The general Electoral Act provisions on advertisements apply to the purchase, whether directly or indirectly or through an intermediary, for placement, display, promotion or dissemination on an online platform of a […]
Constitutional Conventions This Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2012 makes provision for the use of information in the electoral register for selecting citizen members of the Constitutional Convention. Information in the electoral register, including any draft register or supplement to the register, may be used for the purpose of selecting citizen members of the Constitutional Convention. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2016 makes provision in statute […]
Local Elections Local elections are held every five years on a single date nominated by the Minister for Environment and Local Government. The requirement to hold local elections is now specified in the Constitution, after a 1999 amendment. The Minister for Environment divides councils into electoral areas. The smaller local authorities are single constituencies. Anybody ordinarily resident in the local area over 18 years is […]
2011 Commission This Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011 provides for the revision of the terms of reference of a Constituency Commission, The terms of reference of a Constituency Commission are required to recommend Dáil constituencies based on an overall number of members of Dáil Éireann between a minimum of 152 and a maximum of 160. The number of members of Dáil Éireann recommended by a Commission […]
Political Funding The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 amends he Electoral Act 1997, the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 and the Electoral Act 1992 to provide for: a ban on the acceptance of donations over €200 for political purposes from a corporate donor unless the donor has registered with the Standards in Public Office Commission; the establishment of a register […]
Constitution The Constitution requires that the Dáil, the Lower House of the Oireachtas / parliament, is elected by the members who represent constituencies determined by law. The Constitution requires that the Dail constituencies are revised at least every 12 years in accordance with population changes. It must be an equality of representation in so far as practicable throughout the country. The courts have taken the view […]
Calling the Election The date for the election is chosen by the Taoiseach. The time for polling is set by the Minister for the Environment by order. It is generally 14 to 16 hours. Offshore islands generally vote a few days in advance. The notice of the poll must be publicised and displayed in various places such as Garda stations, libraries, and post offices and […]
Election Literature Candidates in the principal election are entitled to post one item free of charge to each voter. This applies to both general elections and by-elections. It does not apply to local elections. A party is only entitled to one free postal communication. Its candidates are deemed singular. Ministerial regulations are made for each election, setting out the particulars of the size of the […]
EU Elections European Union Elections are governed by European and domestic legislation. European Parliament Elections Act, 1997 is the present legislation. Parts of the (general) Electoral Act apply. European elections are held every five years in May or June in the fourth and ninth year of each decade. They take place Europe-wide during a four-day period. A four-day period is allowed, and the Minister for […]
Electorate The Seanad consists of sixty members. Six are elected directly by university graduates. Eleven are nominated by the Taoiseach]. Forty-three are elected from five “vocational panels”. The electorate consists of TDs, senators, members of county councils and city councils. Candidates must be 21 years or older. The Seanad election is to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Dail. The outgoing […]
Personation & Validity of Ballot There is personation, where a person applies for a ballot paper in the name of another or where the person applies for a ballot paper in his own name, having already obtained a ballot paper for that election. The offence is committed once the application for the ballot paper is made. Voting is not necessary. It is an offence to […]
SIPO The Standards in Public Office Commission has a role under electoral law and ethics in public office legislation. It comprises the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Ombudsman, the Chairman and Clerk of the Dáil, and the Clerk of the Seanad. It appoints one of its members to be chairperson. The Commission publishes guidelines and provides advice under the Ethics in Public Office legislation. It […]
Elections Article 16 provides for Dáil elections in general terms. The maximum duration of a Dáil is seven years under the Constitution. However, it is fixed at five years by the Electoral Act. Presidential elections are to take place every seven years. Seanad elections are to be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Dáil. Between elections, a vacancy in a Dáil seat […]