Commission The Standards in Public Office Act 2001 establishes the Standards in Public Office Commission. It has power in relation to acts and omissions of persons in public life. Complaints may concern alleged acts or omissions which are inconsistent with the proper performance of the relevant functions. The intention was for the Commission to be chaired by a judge or former judge with four other […]
Power to Make Laws The sole and exclusive power of making laws is vested in the Oireachtas. The Oireachtas comprises the Dáil, the Seanad and the President. The President’s role is largely formal. Article 15.2 of the Constitution permits the creation and recognition of subordinate legislatures and the conferring of powers on them. Similarly, Article 15.3 permits the establishment and recognition of functional or vocational […]
Taoiseach & Tánaiste The Taoiseach’s duties under the Constitution include the nomination of Ministers, the acceptance of resignation, the nomination of persons to the Seanad and the notification to the President of the removal of certain officers of State, e.g. the Attorney General, Comptroller and Auditor General and judges. He advises the President in relation to the dissolution and summonsing of the Dáil. He is […]
Oireachtas – the Dáil The Oireachtas is the national parliament of Ireland. It consists of the Dáil (lower house) and Seanad (upper house). Details of how it is elected and its powers are set out in the Constitution. The Oireachtas has the sole law-making power in the land. In practice, however, the government, through the political process, usually controls the lawmaking agenda. The Dáil appoints […]
Ministers and Government Departments Each government department is a separate legal body. The Minister is both legally and politically responsible for their departments.Technically the \”Minister\” is the legal body. The Minister in effect is the legal incorporation of the department. The particular person who holds that office from time to time is separate from the office itself, which is permanent and does not cease to exist. Legal […]
The Government The Government is the body designated by the Constitution to govern and administer the State. They are at the apex of the “executive” arm of the State. The Constitution lays down that there should be between seven and fifteen government Ministers. The Taoiseach nominates the members of the Government and they are formally appointed by the President. Government Ministers are generally TDs. Up […]
Role The President is Head of State. In this capacity, he plays a number of roles. Most are ceremonial in nature and/or are performed on the advice of the Government. In these cases, the President has no discretion. There are a relatively small number of functions where the President has a genuine discretion as to their exercise. In these latter functions, the President acts as […]