Governing Structure
The Dáil and Seanad (Senate) are collectively known as the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Government is chosen by and is collectively responsible to the Dáil. There must be a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 15 Ministers. The Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and the Minister for Finance must be members of the Dáil. It is possible to have 2 Ministers who are members of the Senate but this rarely happens.
The Government’s main functions are to propose legislation, manage the public finances and administer the government departments.
The Government is responsible to the Dáil. It is not responsible to the Senate. However, Ministers have a right to attend the Senate and it is normal practice for the relevant Minister or Minister of State to be present when the House is dealing with their areas of responsibility.
Dáil
Dáil Éireann is one of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the national parliament. The upper house of the Oireachtas is the Seanad. The elected members of Dáil Éireann are called TDs – Teachta Dála (or Deputies). TDs are elected directly to the Dáil in a general election. If a vacancy occurs at the Dáil, the seat will be filled by a bye-election.
The Constitution states that the number of TDs cannot be more than one for every 20,000 of the population and cannot be less than one for every 30,000.
There are currently 160 TDs. Ireland is divided into 39 constituencies and each constituency must elect at least three members to the Dáil. The Dáil is part of the legislative (or law making) branch of the Irish State. Its members also elect the Taoiseach and Government following a general election.
Seanad
Seanad Éireann is the senate of Ireland. It is the Upper House of the Oireachtas (Ireland’s national Parliament) and is located in Dublin. The lower house of the Oireachtas is the Dáil. The Seanad is composed of 60 members known as Senators. Eleven of the Senators are nominated by the Taoiseach and 49 are elected in Seanad elections. One Senator takes the role of Cathaoirleach (Speaker/Chairperson). The Cathaoirleach chairs proceedings in the House and must act impartially.
Senators are not officially separated into political parties. However, they usually divide into groups supporting and opposing Government business when voting on issues.
Below please find the table Irish Political Parties, their Ideologies and % of Seats held in Government
