Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: 1° Dáil Éireann shall be composed of members who represent constituencies determined by law.
2° The number of members shall from time to time be fixed by law, but the total number of members of Dáil Éireann shall not be fixed at less than one member for each thirty thousand of the population, or at more than one member for each twenty thousand of the population.
3° The ratio between the number of members to be elected at any time for each constituency and the population of each constituency, as ascertained at the last preceding census, shall, so far as it is practicable, be the same throughout the country.
4° The Oireachtas shall revise the constituencies at least once in every twelve years, with due regard to changes in distribution of the population, but any alterations in the constituencies shall not take effect during the life of Dáil Éireann sitting when such revision is made.
Source: Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 16(2.1 - 2.4): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population b . Respecting natural barriers
Comments: The ratio between the number of members to be elected at any time for each constituency and the population of each constituency, as ascertained at the last preceding census, shall, so far as it is practicable, be the same throughout the country.
Source: Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 16(2.3): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
a . Legislature (1st chamber) d . Boundary Commission
Comments: An independent Constituency Commission draws up a revised scheme of constituencies which is given effect by an Act of the Oireachtas (National Parliament).
Source: Constituency Commission establishment order S.I. No. 396 of 2011;
Official Website of the Constituency Commission: http://www.constituency-commission.ie/index.htm
Verified: 2024/11/21
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
b . Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: There shall be a President of Ireland (Uachtarán na hÉireann), hereinafter called the President, who shall take precedence over all other persons in the State and who shall exercise and perform the powers and functions conferred on the President by this Constitution and by law.
The President shall be elected by direct vote of the people.
Source: Constitution, Art. 12; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Presidential Elections Act, Art. 50-51: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/IE/ireland-presidential-elections-act-1993/view
Verified: 2024/11/21
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The President shall, on the nomination of Dáil Éireann (the National Assembly), appoint the Taoiseach, that is, the head of the Government or Prime Minister.
Source: Constitution, Art. 13 (1): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 12 - 14: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The National Parliament shall be called and known, and is in this Constitution generally referred to, as the Oireachtas.
2° The Oireachtas shall consist of the President and two Houses, viz.: a House of Representatives to be called Dáil Éireann and a Senate to be called Seanad Éireann.
Source: Constitution, Art. 15: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
i . Single Transferable Vote
Comments: The members shall be elected on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Source: Constitution, Art. 16(2.5): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Electoral Acts 1992: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec5
Verified: 2024/11/21
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections d . Referendums e . Other
Comments: e) Elections to the European Parliament and elections for Irish speaking regions (Udaras na Gaeltachta).
Source: Constitution; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Electoral Acts 1992: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec5
Local Electoral Regulations, S.I. No. 297/1995: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/IE/ireland-local-elections-regulations-1995/view ;
Presidential Elections Act 1993: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/IE/ireland-presidential-elections-act-1993/view ;
S.I. No. 258/2011 — Presidential Elections (Forms) Regulations 2011;
The Seanad Electoral Act 1954 (Panel Members);
the Referendum Act 2001 as amended;
European Parliament Elections Act 1997 as amended
Verified: 2024/11/21
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 16(1.2), 12(2): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: A Dáil election may, and may only, be questioned by a petition to the High Court.
Source: Electoral Act 1992, Art. 132: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print
Verified: 2024/11/21
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level d . Other kinds of elections (church, union, etc.) Please specify.
Comments: Elections to the European Parliament and Referendums
Source: Electoral Act 1997: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec5
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: d) The Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: d) The Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
c . For an unspecified period
Comments: c) Civil servants of the Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
d . Other
Comments: d) Civil Servants of the Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
d . Not Applicable
Comments: d) Civil Servants of the Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
j . Not Applicable
Comments: They are civil servants of the Ministry of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/
Verified: 2024/11/21
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body d . National Government f . Local Governments i . Media
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/NationalElections/
Official Website of Public Service Information for Citizens: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/
Verified: 2024/11/21
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/NationalElections/
Official Website of Public Service Information for Citizens: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/
Verified: 2024/11/21
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
m . No information available
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/NationalElections/;
Official Website of Public Service Information for Citizens: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/national_elections/
Verified: 2024/11/21
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: All citizens, and such other persons in the State as may be determined by law,
without distinction of sex who have reached the age of eighteen years who are not disqualified by law and comply with the provisions of the law relating to the election of members of Dáil Éireann, shall have the right to vote at an election for members of Dáil Éireann.
Source: Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 16(1.2): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship b . Period of Residence e . Other
Comments: (1) A person shall be entitled to be registered as a Dáil elector in a constituency if he has reached the age of eighteen years and he was, on the qualifying date—
(a) a citizen of Ireland, and
(b) ordinarily resident in that constituency.
(2) (a) In addition to those entitled to be registered under subsection (1) a person shall be entitled to be registered as a Dáil elector in a constituency if he is a person who has reached the age of eighteen years and who on the qualifying date—
(i) complied with the requirement of subsection (1) (b), and
(ii) was either—
(I) a British citizen, or
(II) a national of a Member State to which this subsection applied on that date.
Source: Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 16(1.2); https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Electoral Act 1992, Art. 8: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Verified: 2024/11/21
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
c . Local Government Authority
Comments: A register by reference to registration areas consisting of administrative counties and county boroughs shall be prepared and published in every year of persons who were entitled to be registered as electors on the qualifying date and, in so far as it relates to presidential electors, it shall be the register of presidential electors, in so far as it relates to Dáil electors, it shall be the register of Dáil electors, in so far as it relates to European electors, it shall be the register of European electors and, in so far as it relates to persons entitled to vote at local elections, it shall be the register of local government electors.
(2) Every register of electors shall come into force on the date specified for this purpose in the Second Schedule and shall remain in force until the day before the date on which the next register comes into force.
Source: Electoral Act 1992, Art. 7, 8, 13; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Official Website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government: http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/Voting/ (2012)
Verified: 2024/11/21
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Act 1992, Art. 7, 8, 13; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Verified: 2024/11/21
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments:
(2) A political party may apply to the Registrar to be registered in the Register of Political Parties as a party—
(a) organised in the State to contest a Dáil election or a European election or a local election, or
(b) organised in a part of the State specified in the application to contest a Dáil election or a European election or a local election.
(3) The Registrar shall prepare and maintain a register (to be known as the Register of Political Parties) in which, subject to the subsequent provisions of this section, he shall register any political party—
(a) which applies to him for registration, and
(b) which is in his opinion—
(i) a genuine political party, and
(ii) organised in the State or a part thereof to contest a Dáil election or a European election or a local election.
Source: Electoral Acts, Art. 25: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec15
Verified: 2024/11/21
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship
Comments: Every citizen without distinction of sex who has reached the age of twenty-one years, and who is not placed under disability or incapacity by this Constitution or by law, shall be eligible for membership of Dáil Éireann.
Source: Constitution, Ch.4, Art. 16(1.1): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Where a candidate is not the candidate of a political party registered in the Register of Political Parties as a party organised to contest a Dáil election he shall be entitled to enter after his name on the nomination paper the expression “Non-Party” and, if he does so, the returning officer shall cause a statement of that expression to be specified in relation to the candidate on all the ballot papers and on notices.
Source: Constitution, Art. 16, 18; https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Electoral Acts 1992-2011, Art. 46(5): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec15
Verified: 2024/11/21
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments: 17.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, payments shall be made out of the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof to each qualified party which applies therefor.
(2) (a) The aggregate of the payments which may be made to qualified parties in any twelve monthly period under this Part shall not, subject to paragraph (b), exceed one million pounds.
(b) (i) Whenever, on or after the passing of this Act, there is a general increase of remuneration in the civil service with effect from a particular date, pursuant to agreements or arrangements having effect on a general basis in the civil service (whether or not they also apply in relation to persons employed other than in the civil service), the aggregate of the payments which may be made under this section shall be increased correspondingly with effect from that date.
(ii) In this paragraph “civil service” has the meaning assigned to it by the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956 .
(3) The amount payable to qualified parties under subsection (2) shall be allocated to each qualified party in the same proportion as the total number of first preference votes obtained by every candidate of each such qualified party at the preceding general election bears to the total number of first preference votes obtained by candidates of all qualified parties at that election.
(4) As soon as may be after the declaration of the result of a general election is completed in each constituency, the Minister shall furnish to the Public Offices Commission and the Minister for Finance, in writing:
(a) particulars of the total percentage of first preference votes obtained at the election by candidates of each party referred to in section 16 calculated in accordance with paragraph (b) of the said section,
(b) the name of each candidate elected, and
(c) the name of each candidate who was not elected to whom the greatest number of votes credited at any stage of the counting of votes at the election exceeds one quarter of the quota,
as ascertained from the copy of the notice furnished to the Minister under section 127 (2) of the Act of 1992.
(5) Every payment made under this Part to a qualified party shall be exempt from income tax and shall not be reckoned in computing the income for the purposes of the Income Tax Acts of such party.
Source: Electoral Act 1997, Art. 17 - 21: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec17
Verified: 2024/11/21
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Based on result of previous election
Comments: The amount payable to qualified parties under subsection (2) shall be allocated to each qualified party in the same proportion as the total number of first preference votes obtained by every candidate of each such qualified party at the preceding general election bears to the total number of first preference votes obtained by candidates of all qualified parties at that election.
Source: Electoral Act 1997, Art. 17(3): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec17
Verified: 2024/11/21
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Act 1997, Art. 22 - 26: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec17
Verified: 2024/11/21
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
c . Special counting centres
Comments: The returning officer for a constituency shall appoint a place within or convenient to the constituency as the place at which he will count the votes.
Source: Electoral Act 1992, Art. 112: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Verified: 2024/11/21
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request e . Court order
Comments:
Source: Electoral Act 1992, Art. 125: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Verified: 2024/11/21
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments: There is no obligation on broadcasters to transmit party political broadcasts during election or referenda periods.
Source: Broadcasting Act 2009, Art. 39(2): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/18/enacted/en/print.html
Verified: 2024/11/21
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source: https://about.rte.ie/2024/11/11/rte-announces-comprehensive-2024-general-election-coverage-across-tv-radio-and-online-to-keep-ireland-inform/
Verified: 2024/11/21
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
a . 1 day
Comments:
Source: https://www.bai.ie/en/broadcasting-authority-of-ireland-bai-moratorium-on-general-election-coverage/
Verified: 2024/11/21
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source: Electoral Act 1992 and Electoral Act 1997 as amended: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/act/25/enacted/en/print#sec17
Verified: 2024/11/21
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: C:27:5 "1° In every case in which the President decides that a Bill the subject of a petition under this Article contains a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained, he shall inform the Taoiseach and the Chairman of each House of the Oireachtas accordingly in writing under his hand and Seal and shall decline to sign and promulgate such Bill as a law unless and until the proposal shall have been approved either i by the people at a Referendum in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of Article 47 of this Constitution within a period of eighteen months from the date of the President’s decision,"
C:46:2 "Every proposal for an amendment of this Constitution shall be initiated in Dáil Éireann as a Bill, and shall upon having been passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, be submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people in accordance with the law for the time being in force relating to the Referendum."
C:47 "1. Every proposal for an amendment of this Constitution which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall, for the purpose of Article 46 of this Constitution, be held to have been approved by the people, if, upon having been so submitted, a majority of the votes cast at such Referendum shall have been cast in favour of its enactment into law. 2. 1° Every proposal, other than a proposal to amend the Constitution, which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall be held to have been vetoed by the people if a majority of the votes cast at such Referendum shall have been cast against its enactment into law and if the votes so cast against its enactment into law shall have amounted to not less than thirty-three and one-third per cent. of the voters on the register. 2° Every proposal, other than a proposal to amend the Constitution, which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall for the purposes of Article 27 hereof be held to have been approved by the people unless vetoed by them in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing sub-section of this section. 3. Every citizen who has the right to vote at an election for members of Dáil Éireann shall have the right to vote at a Referendum. 4. Subject as aforesaid, the Referendum shall be regulated by law."
Source: Articles 27, 46 and 47 of the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann); the Electoral Act 1992; the Referendum Act 1994; the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Referendum Act 2001;
Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: C:46:2 "Every proposal for an amendment of this Constitution shall be initiated in Dáil Éireann as a Bill, and shall upon having been passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, be submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people in accordance with the law for the time being in force relating to the Referendum."
Source: Articles 46 and 47 of the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann); the Electoral Act 1992; the Referendum Act 1994; the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Referendum Act 2001
Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: C:27:5 "1° In every case in which the President decides that a Bill the subject of a petition under this Article contains a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained, he shall inform the Taoiseach and the Chairman of each House of the Oireachtas accordingly in writing under his hand and Seal and shall decline to sign and promulgate such Bill as a law unless and until the proposal shall have been approved either i by the people at a Referendum in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of Article 47 of this Constitution within a period of eighteen months from the date of the President’s decision,"
Source: Articles 27 and 47 of the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann); the Electoral Act 1992; the Referendum Act 1994; the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Referendum Act 2001
Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Constitution: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Constitution: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Constitution: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: 1° In every case in which the President decides that a Bill the subject of a petition under this Article contains a proposal of such national importance that the will of the people thereon ought to be ascertained, he shall inform the Taoiseach and the Chairman of each House of the Oireachtas accordingly in writing under his hand and Seal and shall decline to sign and promulgate such Bill as a law unless and until the proposal shall have been approved either
i by the people at a Referendum in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of Article 47 of this Constitution within a period of eighteen months from the date of the President's decision, or
ii by a resolution of Dáil Éireann passed within the said period after a dissolution and re-assembly of Dáil Éireann.
Every proposal for an amendment of this Constitution which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall, for the purpose of Article 46 of this Constitution, be held to have been approved by the people, if, upon having been so submitted, a majority of the votes cast at such Referendum shall have been cast in favour of its enactment into law.
2 1° Every proposal, other than a proposal to amend the Constitution, which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall be held to have been vetoed by the people if a majority of the votes cast at such Referendum shall have been cast against its enactment into law and if the votes so cast against its enactment into law shall have amounted to not less than thirty-three and one-third per cent. of the voters on the register.
2° Every proposal, other than a proposal to amend the Constitution, which is submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people shall for the purposes of Article 27 hereof be held to have been approved by the people unless vetoed by them in accordance with the provisions of the foregoing sub-section of this section.
3 Every citizen who has the right to vote at an election for members of Dáil Éireann shall have the right to vote at a Referendum.
4 Subject as aforesaid, the Referendum shall be regulated by law.
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Constitution, Art. 47, 27(5): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Constitution, Art. 47, 27(5): https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy Database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/country?country=107&database_theme=309
Verified: 2024/11/21
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections f . By mail j . Other
Comments: At every polling place the returning officer shall provide a sufficient number of polling stations, conveniently distributed for the accommodation of the Dáil electors entitled to vote there. Where, by reason of any difficulty, a polling station or a sufficient number of polling stations cannot be provided at the appointed polling place, the returning officer may provide a polling station or polling stations at any other convenient place.
Source: Electoral Acts 1992 - 2011, Art. 17, 64, 94: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print
Verified: 2024/11/21
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country d . Members of the armed forces e . Students f . Diplomatic staff
Comments:
Source: Electoral Acts 1992 - 2011, Art. 14
https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print
Constitution Art. 12: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/cons/en/html
Verified: 2024/11/21
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
e . By mail
Comments: The ballot paper to be sent to postal voters shall be in the same form as, and indistinguishable from, the ballot papers delivered to other electors.
Source: Electoral Acts 1992 - 2011, Art. 14, 64-66:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/voting/registering_to_vote.html#l862a3
Verified: 2024/11/21
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Acts 1992, Art. 101: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1992/act/23/enacted/en/print#sec64
Verified: 2024/11/21
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