Electoral System (RDS) Visitors to Proportional Representation for £10,000 and a yearly House: Joe Carey TD by Single Transferable Vote rent of £600 which was later Famous visitors to Leinster (PR-STV) in multi-seat redeemed. Th e Society made House include former US Joe Carey is a Clare Fine Gael TD. He was elected constituencies is the electoral extensive additions to the Presidents John F. Kennedy, to the 30th Dáil on the 24th of May 2007 and was system used in Ireland. In House, most notably the lecture Ronald Reagan and Bill appointed Fine Gael Spokesperson on Juvenile practice this means that theatre, which was later to Clinton, former British Justice in October, 2007. L voters can indicate fi rst and become the Dáil Chamber. Prime Minister Tony Blair, einst er House subsequent choices for former Australian Prime Th e Dáil Chamber was Joe is a member of the Joint Committ ee candidates. It can result in Minister Bob Hawke and Visitors originally the lecture theatre on Social Protection. Prior to his election to Dáil a greater representation of former French President of the RDS and was opened Éireann he was a member of Clare County Council Guide smaller parties. Francois Mitt erand. as such in 1897. Th e room from June 1999 receiving the highest ever vote in History of is octagonal in shape and Clare in the Local Election of 2004. Th e house was originally its original seating capacity known as Kildare House was 700. Litt le alteration In his short time in the Dáil, Joe is recognised as one aft er James Fitzgerald, was needed to adapt it for of Fine Gael’s hardest working TDs. the of Kildare, who parliamentary purposes: commissioned it to be built the fl oor was raised and the between 1745-47. James seating capacity reduced. Fitzgerald set out to create Aft er the establishment of the stateliest of Dublin the in 1922, CONTACT JOE CAREY TD: Georgian mansions to refl ect the Government obtained his eminent position in Irish a part of Leinster House for Constituency Offi ce: society. When he became parliamentary use. Th e entire Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065-6891199 Fax: 065-6891205 in 1766 0612 building was acquired by the the house was renamed Dáil Offi ce: State in 1924. Leinster House. Today Leinster House is the Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 6183337 Fax: 01 6184520 In 1815, Augustus Frederick, seat of the two Houses of the Email: [email protected] Joe Carey TD the third Duke of Leinster, Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann and sold the mansion to the Seanad Éireann.

J Carey Leinster Hse Visitor Guide 140x140.indd 1 21/05/2010 11:58:13 Th e President of Ireland, Th e Constitution, Bunreacht Seanad Éireann is not in Dáil Éireann. Th e main Uachtarain na hÉireann na hÉireann contains the directly elected and has less functions of Seanad Éireann is the head of state and is fundamental rules and laws power than the lower chamber, are to debate, amend and pass directly elected every 7 years. by which our political systemsystem Dáil Éireann. Th ere are 60 legislation. Senators can initiate Candidates must be at least 35. Fáilte romhaibh go léir is governed. It outlines our members. 43 are elected by legislation, but not money bills. Th e offi cial residence is Áras constitutional rights as citizens.citizen outgoing TDs and Senators, It can delay legislation but not an Uachtaráin. Th e President It was enacted in 1937. members of council councils veto it. performs a largely ceremonial go dtí Tithe na Oireachtais. and city council. 11 are Th e Constitution outlines ththee Cabinet: Th e Taoiseach role but does have the power nominated by the Taoiseach. function of the Oireachtas. appoints a cabinet comprised to refer a bill to the Supreme I hope you enjoy your visit to eth 6 are elected by the graduates Th e Oireachtass consists of of at least 12 and not more than Court. President Mary of the National University three diff erent bodies: ththee 15 ministers. 2 of which may McAleese is the 8th President of Ireland and the graduates Houses of the Oireachtas. If you have President, Seanad Éireann (t(theh be members of the Seanad. of Ireland. Previous presidents of Trinity College. Th e upper house) and Dáil ÉireannÉirean Th e Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government include Douglas Hyde, Séan Cathaoirleach of Seanad any queries, please fe el fr ee to contact me. (the lower house). Minister for Finance must be T O’Kelly, Eamon deValera, Éireann performs a similar Th e eTaoiseach Taoiseach is is the the head head of of government. government. He/sheHe/she isis members of Dáil Éireann. Erskine Childers, Cearbhall Dáil Eireann is the primary role to the Ceann Comhairle elected by Dáil Éireann and then appoints the government. Th ereere cancan bebe singlesingle majoritymajority O’Dalaigh, Patrick Hillery Is mise le meas, legislative body. Th ere are and Mary Robinson. 166 directly elected TDs government or coalition government depending on Joe Care yy TDTD (Teachta Dalaí) representing the composition of Dáil Éireann. Governments are 43 constituencies. Th e CeanCeannn usually formed post-election. Th e egovernment government ofof Comhairle chairs proceedinproceedingsg the current 30th Dáil is a coalition between in Dáil Éireann making sure Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and Independents. that the rules for debate (standing orders) are followfollowed.ed Oireachtas Committ ees Its main functions are to hoholdld Committ ees examine proposed legislation in detail, ththe government t tto account, t monitor government spending and oft en invite debate important issues of organisations with a special interest in an area to the day, approve the spending contribute to their work. In the 30th Dáil there are of public money and pass 21 committ ees. Each committ ee examines a specifi c new legislation. area of government business such as transport, foreign aff airs, enterprise.

J Carey Leinster Hse Visitor Guide 140x140.indd 2 21/05/2010 11:58:31