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Media factsheet
The following is a brief guide for overseas media. For more detailed information please check the links at the end of this page and elsewhere on this website.
The Oireachtas
The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary representative democracy.
Legislative power is vested in the Oireachtas, which consists of the President of Ireland and the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.
Executive power is exercised by the Government, which is led by the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), whose deputy is the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister).
The Cabinet is nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil, then appointed by the President.
Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the principal chamber of the Oireachtas and has 158 Members. A Member's official Irish title is "Teachta Dála" (commonly known as TD), which in English means "Deputy to the Dáil".
By law, a General Election to Dáil Éireann must be held at least once every five years.
The Chair of the Dáil is called the Ceann Comhairle. His deputy is the Leas-Cheann Comhairle
The Seanad is the upper house of the Oireachtas, and has 60 Senators. The Chair of the Seanad is called the Cathaoirleach. His deputy is the Leas-Chathaoirleach.
The President
The President of Ireland is elected to a seven-year term of office and no person may serve more than two terms. The current President is Michael D. Higgins.
The President, who does not have an executive or policy role, exercises his formal powers and functions on the advice of the Government.
The President has the power to refer a Bill to the Supreme Court for a judgment on its constitutionality. He may seek advice from the Council of State and refer the Bill to the Irish Supreme Court for a ruling on whether it complies with the Constitution.
The official residence of the President is Áras an Uachtaráin, in the Phoenix Park in Dublin....