Oireachtas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids OireachtasNational Parliament |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Dáil Éireann (32nd) Seanad Éireann (25th) |
| Leadership | |
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Michael D. Higgins
Since 27 October 2011 |
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Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann
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Denis O'Donovan (FF)
Since 8 June 2016 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 218 members
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political groups
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political groups
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| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
| Indirect election | |
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last election
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26 February 2016 |
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last election
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26 April 2016 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Leinster House, Dublin | |
The Oireachtas is the national parliament of Ireland. It is where important decisions are made for the country. Think of it as the main group of people who make laws for Ireland. It has three main parts: the President of Ireland, Dáil Éireann, and Seanad Éireann. Only Irish names are used for these parts, never the English ones.
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What is the Oireachtas?
The Oireachtas is the national parliament of Ireland. It is like the main law-making body for the country. It helps to run Ireland and make sure things work well for everyone. The Oireachtas is made up of three important parts. These are the President of Ireland, Dáil Éireann, and Seanad Éireann. Together, they work to create and approve laws for the people of Ireland.
The President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is one of the three parts of the Oireachtas. The President is the head of state for Ireland. This means they are the official representative of the country. They sign bills into law after they have been passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. The President also has other important jobs, like representing Ireland on the world stage.
Dáil Éireann: The Lower House
Dáil Éireann is often called the "lower house" of the Oireachtas. It is the most powerful part. It is similar to the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. It is also like the House of Representatives in the United States.
- Members: People who are elected to Dáil Éireann are called Teachtaí Dála (TDs). There are 158 TDs in total.
- Elections: TDs are chosen by the people of Ireland in general elections. These elections happen at least once every five years.
- Main Job: The Dáil is where most laws are first suggested and debated. It also chooses the Taoiseach, who is the head of the Irish government.
Seanad Éireann: The Upper House
Seanad Éireann is known as the "upper house." It is similar to the House of Lords in the UK or the Senate in the US. It has 60 members, who are called Senators.
- How Senators are Chosen: Most Senators are not directly elected by the public. Instead, they are chosen in different ways:
- 43 are elected by a special group of local politicians and university graduates.
- 11 are chosen by the Taoiseach.
- 6 are elected by graduates from specific universities.
- Main Job: The Seanad reviews laws that have been passed by the Dáil. It can suggest changes to these laws. However, it cannot stop a law from being passed forever. It mainly acts as a check on the Dáil.
How Laws Are Made
Making a law in Ireland involves both the Dáil and the Seanad.
- First, a new law, called a "bill," is usually introduced in Dáil Éireann.
- The TDs in the Dáil discuss and vote on the bill.
- If the Dáil approves the bill, it then goes to Seanad Éireann.
- The Senators in the Seanad review the bill and can suggest changes.
- If the Seanad approves it, or if the Dáil insists on it, the bill is sent to the President of Ireland.
- The President then signs the bill into law. Once signed, it becomes an official law of Ireland.
Where the Oireachtas Meets
The Oireachtas meets in a historic building called Leinster House. It is located in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. This building has been the home of the Irish parliament for many years. It is where TDs and Senators gather to discuss important issues and make decisions for the country.
See also
In Spanish: Oireachtas para niños
