Political Structures and Institutions
Political Structures and Institutions is the architecture domain: it asks you to explain who holds what power, how institutions check one another, and how the Irish system compares with the EU and international bodies. Exam questions typically require both description and evaluation - for example, 'discuss the effectiveness of the Oireachtas' or 'compare the Irish and EU legislative processes'.
Core rules and concepts
- The Oireachtas comprises the President, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. The Dáil has 174 TDs, elected by proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV) in multi-seat constituencies.
- The Government is the executive; the Taoiseach is head of government, the President head of state. Ministers must be members of the Oireachtas, and at most two may be Senators.
- Separation of powers in Ireland is partial: the executive is drawn from the legislature, while the judiciary is independent and judges are appointed by the President on the Government's advice.
- EU institutions: European Commission (initiates legislation), Council of the EU (national ministers), European Parliament (co-legislator), Court of Justice of the EU. The European Council is a separate body of heads of state or government.
- Local government: 31 local authorities with limited revenue-raising powers; most funding comes from central grants and the Local Property Tax.
Worked example
Explain why coalition government is normal in Ireland. PR-STV in multi-seat constituencies gives smaller parties and independents a realistic route to seats; transfers reward broadly acceptable candidates; a single party rarely wins 88 of 174 seats. The 2020 election produced a Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green coalition; 2024 again required negotiation. Reasoning should link the electoral system to the party system, not just state that coalitions happen.
Traps
- Calling the President head of government.
- Using 'Oireachtas' as a synonym for the Dáil.
- Claiming Ireland uses first-past-the-post.
- Mixing up the Council of the EU and the European Council.