CSPE Fact Sheet
Note: What follows below is a list of questions, largely based around the past Junior Cert papers. That’s why certain sections of the course get a great deal more coverage than others – they suit exam questions better. It is NOT a complete list of every topic on the CSPE course, and please don’t think that just because you know everything listed here that you’re guaranteed to know every question that comes up. Keep watching the news, and keep aware of events in the various areas on the course.
The Seven Key Concepts
CSPE is based on seven concepts. These are?
Rights & Responsibilities Every human being is entitled to basic rights, but we also have a responsibility to others, and there is a constant need to safeguard peoples’ rights. Topics: Children’s rights, prisoners of conscience, torture
Human Dignity Every human being has the right to live their lives with dignity and to be treated with respect. Topics: Homelessness, bullying, refugees
Stewardship Caring responsibly for our environment and the planet on which we live Topics: Recycling, global warming, the ozone layer
Development Improvements taking place in local, national or international communities Topics: Tackling poverty in Africa, Third World Debt problems, regional development in Ireland
Democracy Citizens voting to elect people to represent them in government Topics: Elections, Dail Eireann, Local Government
Law The rules and laws necessary to protect citizens. How laws are made, upheld, and the consequences of breaking the law. Topics: An Garda Siochana, the courts system, the prison system
Interdependence The way in which we are connected with others in the world Topics: The European Union, the United Nations, Fair Trade
Rights & Responsibilities
U.D.H.R. stands for? Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What does Asylum mean? The right to a safe place to live
What does Freedom of Assembly mean? The right to meet up
International
E.U. stands for? European Union
NEXT ELECTIONS ARE MAY 2014
There are 28 countries in the European Union: Croatia is the newest member.
Within the European Union there are three law-making groups. There are? The European Parliament The European Commission The Council of Ministers
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:
The European Parliament meets in which two cities? Brussels and Strasbourg
M.E.P. stands for? Member of the European Parliament
How many Irish MEPs are there? There are currently 12. From 2014 it will be reduced to 11 to facilitate Croatia entering EU.
There are 754 MEPs elected to the? European Parliament
Name 2 Irish MEPs? Mairead McGuinness, Liam Aylward, Brian Crowley
Who is the President of the European Parliament? Martin Schulz, Germany
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION:
How are members of the European Commission chosen? There are 28 members of the European Commission – one from each country. Each member is appointed by the govt of their own country.
Who is the President of the European Commission? Jose Manuel Barroso, Portugal
Who is the Irish European Commissioner? Maire Geoghegan Quinn
We celebrate being members of the EU on the 9th May every year. This is known as? Europe Day
Why do we celebrate Europe Day on the 9th May every year? To celebrate that Ireland is a member of the EU
In the EU, where are legal cases about human rights heard? The European Court of Human Rights
E.C.H.R. stands for? The European Court of Human Rights
I.M.F. stands for? The International Monetary Fund
Why was the IMF in Ireland last year? To lend money to (“bail out”) the Government which didn’t have enough funds to run the country
The U.N. stands for? United Nations
The Secretary General of the United Nations is? Ban Ki-Moon
Where are the United Nations Headquarters? New York
How can the Irish Army become involved in international conflicts? Through United Nations Peacekeeping operations
The US President is? Barack Obama
Where does the US President live? The White House, Washington DC
Where does the Queen of England live? Buckingham Palace
Who is the British Prime Minister? David Cameron (Conservative Party)
Where does the British Prime Minister live? 10 Downing Street
Which country joined the Euro in 2013? Croatia
How many countries are in the European Union? 28
How many countries are in the Euro? 22
28 Members of the European Union 18 Members of the Euro
Austria Austria Belgium Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Estonia Finland Finland France France Germany Germany Greece Greece Hungary Ireland Ireland Italy Italy Latvia Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Luxembourg Malta Malta Netherlands Netherlands Poland Portugal Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovakia Slovenia Slovenia Spain Spain Sweden United Kingdom Law
The chief law officer of the Irish State is known as? The Attorney General
The Childrens’ Court deals with? Offences committed by young people under the age of 16
The District Court deals with? Civil and criminal cases at a local level. There are 23 such courts around the country
The Circuit Court deals with? More serious civil and criminal matters. There are 8 of such courts around the country
The Special Criminal Court deals with? Very serious criminal offences. There is no jury in this court
The Court of Criminal Appeal deals with? Appeals from convicted persons who believe they haven’t received justice when their case was tried in a lower court
The High Court deals with? Appeals from lower courts and some Constitutional cases
The Supreme Court deals with? Cases about the Constitution and appeals from the High Court
The highest court in Ireland is known as the? Supreme Court
The second highest court in Ireland is known as the? High Court
The lowest court in Ireland is known as the? District Court
Criminal law involves? Serious breaches of the law, such as assault, robbery, rape and murder
Civil law involves? Disputes between private individuals (eg. compensation claims, contract law)
What is the name of the lawyer who brings a criminal case to court? The Director of Public Prosecutions
The Irish Constitution is known as? Bunreacht na hEireann
Bunreacht na hEireann is? The name of the Irish Constitution
In Ireland, a law (which is also called a “Bill”) passed by the Oireachtas is called? An Act
In Bunreacht na hEireann the numbered points are called? Articles
A referendum is needed if the Govt wants to change? The Constitution
If the Govt wants to change the Constitution it needs to hold? A referendum
While an arrested person is awaiting trial, the judge may allow them stay at home, rather than in jail. This is known as? Bail
Politics
The voting system in Ireland is known as? Proportional Representation
P.R. stands for? Proportional Representation
What two letters sum up the voting system in Ireland? P.R.
How often must a General Election must be held in Ireland? Every five years
How often must a Presidential Election be held in Ireland? Every seven years
How many terms can an Irish President serve? Two (ie. 2 x 7 years = 14 years)
How old do you have to be to have a vote in Ireland or European elections? 18
How old do you have to be to be elected as a TD? 21
How old do you have to be to be elected President of Ireland? 35
The place where votes are cast in an election is called a? Polling Station
The slip of paper filled in by a voter is called a? Ballot Paper
Someone who stands in an election is known as a? Candidate
The person who announces the election results? Returning Officer
In an election, what is a “quota”? The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate
The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate is called? A quota
What is a spoiled vote? A vote that cannot be counted
A vote that cannot be counted is known as a? Spoiled vote
What does T.D. stand for? Teachta Dala
What is a T.D./Teachta Dala? Someone who is elected to represent their constituency in Dail Eireann
What is an elected member of a local authority known as? A councillor (eg. a county councillor)
What is a constituency? An electoral area – eg. Wicklow is one constituency and has 5 TDs
What is a General Election? When people across in the country vote to elect TD’s in every constituency, thereby forming a new Dail and new government
What is a By-Election? When people in one constituency vote to elect a TD to replace someone who has resigned or died.
What is a Local Election? When people in a local area vote to elect their local county council or town council
To have a vote in Ireland, a person’s name must appear on? The Register of Electors
The Irish Prime Minister is called? The Taoiseach/An Taoiseach
An Taoiseach is? The Irish Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister (second-in-command) is called? The Tanaiste/An Tanaiste
The name of the President of Ireland is? Michael D. Higgins
The person who keeps order during debates in Dail Eireann is called the? Ceann Comhairle
What is the national symbol of Ireland that appears on all Govt letters and envelopes? Harp
In Ireland, which Govt department is responsible for voting and elections? The Dept of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
What are the names of the two houses of the Oireachtas? Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann
The Irish Parliament is called? Dail Eireann
Dail Eireann is? The Irish Parliament
The other “house” in the Irish Parliament is called? Seanad Eireann
Seanad Eireann is? The Irish senate - The “upper house” in the Irish Parliament
Where do Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann meet? Leinster House
Where does the government work? Government Buildings
How many Dail Constituencies are there at the moment? 43
Where does the Irish President live? Aras an Uachtarain
Aras an Uachtarain is? The home of the Irish President in Phoenix Park, Dublin
Political Parties and their Current Leaders
Fianna Fail Michael Martin
Green Party Eamon Ryan
Fine Gael Enda Kenny
Labour Party Eamon Gilmore
Sinn Fein Gerry Adams
16 Independent TDs joined together to form a “technical group” so they can speak in the Dail. Some of these include Joe Higgins, Shane Ross and Stephen Donnelly.
Important Organisations
Amnesty International Draws attention to human rights abuses in different countries – eg. people who are facing the death penalty, being tortured, child labour, prisoners of conscience, etc
Age Action Ireland Looks after the rights of older people
Focus Ireland Looks after homeless people
Simon Community Looks after the needs of homeless people in Ireland
St Vincent de Paul Helps poor people and those who are struggling to afford to live
Aware Helps those who are suffering from depression
Combat Poverty Agency Helps poor people
Irish Refugee Council Looks after asylum seekers and refugees
Pavee Point Helps the travelling community
Comhairle na nOg Youth councils which allow young people the chance to have a say on matters that affect them
Dail na nOg he annual national parliament for young people aged between 12-18 years. Delegates are elected to Dáil na nÓg through their local Comhairle na nÓg
Ombudsman for Children An independent organisation that represents children’s rights in Ireland. The Ombudsman’s name is Emily Logan
National Youth Council of Ireland represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and acts on issues that impact on young people
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) Protects children’s rights
Irish Wheelchair Association Helps people with disabilities
Trocaire Helps people and communities in the developing world
Goal Helps people and communities in the developing world
Concern Helps people and communities in the developing world
FAS Provides training and employment schemes
UNICEF = United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Look after children’s rights throughout the world
An Taisce Campaigns for a better environment
Residents’ Association Looks after the interests of people who live in a particular area
Neighbourhood Watch/Community Alert Encourages people to report suspicious activity
Meals on Wheels Brings meals to elderly people in their homes
Government Departments - there are 15 in total
Dept of the Taoiseach Taoiseach: Enda Kenny
Dept of Education & Skills Minister: Ruairi Quinn
Dept of Finance Responsible for the administration of public finance, including, the collection and expenditure of the revenues. Minsiter: Michael Noonan
Dept of Public Expenditure In charge of managing spending on public services. and Reform Minister: Brendan Howlin
Dept of Foreign Affairs Deals with our political and trading relations with other countries & Trade Minister: Eamon Gilmore
Dept of Justice, Equality Deals with enforcement of law and order, ensuring everyone treated equally and Defence under the law, preserving peace and security. Minister: Alan Shatter
Dept of Health & Children Minister: Dr. James Reilly
Dept of Jobs, Enterprise, Encourages industry and employment & Innovation Minister: Richard Bruton
Dept of Communications, Responsibility for telecommunications (broadcasting, broadband) and & Natural Resources energy (electricity, gas) Minister: Pat Rabitte
Dept of Agriculture, Food Responsible for the promotion and development of agriculture, & the Marine food and marine development in Ireland Minister: Simon Coveney
Dept of Environment Oversees local government and environmental issues. Community and Local Govt. Minister: Phil Hogan
Dept of Transport, Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar and Sport
Dept of Social Protection In charge of social welfare and benefits. Minister: Joan Burton
Dept of Children and Youth Looks after the needs of children across all departments. Affairs Minister: Frances Fitzgerald
Dept of Arts, Heritage and Protects and promotes Ireland culture and language. The Gaeltacht. Minister: Jimmy Deenihan
Photo Call! The first question on the exam usually involves photos
1. President & Party Leaders
Michael D Higgins, President
Enda Kenny, Fine Gael
Eamon Gilmore, Labour Party
Michael Martin, Fianna Fail
Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein
Test Yourself Put the name and party beside each politician
2. International Figures
Ban Ki Moon (UN Secretary General)
Jose Manuel Barroso (President, EU Commission)
Aung San Suu Kyi (Burnam Human Rights campaigner)
’ Nelson Mandela (former South African President and Human Rights activist)
Barack Obama (US President)
David Cameron (British Prime Minister)
Angela Merkel (German Chancellor)
Francois Hollande, President of France
Vladimir Putin (Russian Prime Minister)
Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland First Minister), Democratic Unionist Party
Martin McGuinness (Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister), Sinn Fein
Mary Robinson (former Irish President and UN Human Rights campaigner) 3. Other Important People
Adi Roche (Chernobyl Children’s Fund)
Bono (Third World Debt campaigner)
Martin Luther King, Jr (Human Rights activist in 1960’s USA)
Emily Logan (National Ombudsman for Children)
Maire Geoghegan Quinn (Irish EU Commissioner)
Sean Barrett (Dail Ceann Comhairle)
4. Important Buildings
Leinster House – home of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann
Government Buildings, Dublin
The White House (note, the Oval Office is on the other side)
10 Downing Street (home of British Prime Minister)
Buckingham Palace
The Four Courts
The European Parliament Building, Brussels
The European Parliament Building, Strasbourg
The United Nations Building, New York
Aras an Uachtarain (v like White House, but flatter and wider)
The new Criminal Courts of Justice complex, Dublin
Dail Eireann 5. So you think you know your photos? Have a go at naming the photos below…