Government

Role The President is Head of State. In this capacity, he plays a number of roles. Most are ceremonial in nature. Most presidential functions are performed on the advice of the Government. In these cases, the President has no discretion.… Read the rest

Ministers Ministers are responsible under the Ministers and Secretaries Acts for the administration of their departments.  Technically the ministers themselves are the legal incorporation of the department. The ministry is an office of which the particular holder is holder from time to time.  … Read the rest

The Government The Government is the body designated by the Constitution to govern and administer the State.  They are at the apex of the “executive” arm of the State. The Constitution lays down that there should be between seven and fifteen government Ministers.… Read the rest

Overview I There are a significant number of State agencies and bodies which perform various governmental functions and services.  State agencies deal with a wide variety of matters.  They may be State-sponsored companies or bodies established by law.… Read the rest

Public Service Ombudsman The Ombudsman’s Office was established in 1980 and commenced in 1984.  The Ombudsman holds office for six years and can be appointed for up to three terms. The Ombudsman is responsible for reviewing good administration across a wide range of the public service.… Read the rest

Oireachtas – the Dail This Irish national parliament is the Oireachtas and consists of the Dail and Seanad.  Details of how it is elected and its powers are set out in the Constitution. The Oireachtas is the sole law-making power in the land. … Read the rest

Ministers and Government Departments Each government department is a separate legal body. The Minister is both legally and politically responsible for their departments.Technically the “Minister” is the legal body. The Minister in effect is the legal incorporation of the department.… Read the rest

Recruitment Generally, civil servants are recruited in competitions.  The Public Appointments Service and the Commission for Public Service Appointments act as recruitment agents.  The Public Appointments Service recruits assess and select appointees for government departments. The Commission for Public Service Appointments regulates recruitment. … Read the rest

Overview The public service makes decisions which affect the rights an interests of individuals across a whole host of areas on a daily basis.  In some cases, there are elements of discretion in relation to the exercise of the power. … Read the rest