Oireachtas

Oireachtas
Name	Oireachtas
Native name	An tOireachtas
Legislature	National Parliament
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann
Foundation	29 December 1937
Preceded by	Oireachtas of the Irish Free State
Leader1 type	Ceann Comhairle
Leader1	Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Election1	10 March 2016
Leader2 type	Cathaoirleach
Leader2	Jerry Buttimer
Election2	16 December 2022
Members	220, 160 TDs, 60 Senators
House1	Dáil Éireann
House2	Seanad Éireann
Voting house1	Single transferable vote
Voting house2	Indirect election
Meeting place	Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin
Website	www.oireachtas.ie

Oireachtas is the national parliament of Ireland, established by the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. It is a bicameral legislature, comprising the directly elected Dáil Éireann and the indirectly elected Seanad Éireann, and holds its sessions in Leinster House in Dublin. As the supreme legislative body, it is responsible for enacting laws, approving the Government, and scrutinizing the executive branch of the Irish state.

History

The modern institution derives its name and constitutional status from the Constitution of Ireland, which replaced the earlier Oireachtas of the Irish Free State established under the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Its predecessor, the First Dáil, was an revolutionary assembly formed by Sinn Féin members elected in the 1918 Irish general election. The current structure was solidified after the enactment of Bunreacht na hÉireann, with the first sitting of the new Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann following the 1937 Irish general election. Key historical moments include its role during The Emergency, the enactment of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948, and subsequent amendments through referendums in Ireland.

Composition and powers

It consists of two houses: Dáil Éireann, the lower house with 160 TDs elected via the single transferable vote, and Seanad Éireann, the upper house with 60 members chosen through a mix of indirect electoral panels and university constituencies. Its primary powers, as outlined in Bunreacht na hÉireann, include the exclusive authority to legislate, the power to declare a state of emergency, and the sole right to raise or impose taxation. It also holds the critical power to approve the Government and its financial measures, and to initiate proposals for amending the Constitution of Ireland.

Functions and legislative process

Its principal function is the enactment of Acts of the Oireachtas, which begins with the introduction of a bill, typically by the Government in Dáil Éireann. A bill must pass through several stages in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, including committee consideration, before being presented to the President of Ireland for signature into law. Other key functions include approving the annual estimates and the Finance Act, and conducting robust scrutiny of Government policy through parliamentary questions and motions of no confidence.

Committees

It conducts much of its detailed work through a system of joint committees and select committees, such as the Committee on Public Accounts and the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. These committees, which include members from both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, investigate specific policy areas, scrutinise proposed legislation, and examine the expenditure and administration of Government Departments. Notable investigations have been conducted by committees like the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

Relationship with the Government

The Government, headed by the Taoiseach, is constitutionally responsible to Dáil Éireann and must maintain its confidence. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Minister for Finance are appointed by the President of Ireland on the nomination of Dáil Éireann. This relationship is central to the parliamentary system, with the Government setting the legislative agenda and the institution holding it to account through mechanisms like Leader's Questions and the Committee on Budgetary Oversight.

Elections and membership

Elections to Dáil Éireann, known as general elections, are held at least every five years as mandated by the Constitution of Ireland, using the single transferable vote in multi-seat constituencies. Membership of Seanad Éireann is renewed after each general election, with 43 senators elected from vocational panels by an electorate comprising TDs, senators, and local councillors, and 6 elected by graduates of the University of Dublin and the National University of Ireland. By-elections are held to fill casual vacancies in Dáil Éireann.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Ireland Category:Bicameral legislatures