The Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, contains the Fáilte romhaibh go léir go dtí Tithe an Oireachtais. fundamental rules and laws by which our political system is governed. It outlines our constitutional rights as citizens. It was enacted by President Éamon De Valera in 1937. The Constitution outlines the function of the Oireachtas. The Oireachtas consists of three different bodies: the President, Seanad Éireann (the upper house) and Dáil Éireann (the lower house). Dáil Éireann is the primary legislative body. There are 166 Contact John directly elected TDs (Teachta Constituency Office: Dálaí) representing 43 Bull Lane, Portlaoise, Laois constituencies. The Ceann Comhairle chairs proceedings in Dáil Éireann making sure Office contact: that the rules for the debate Lisa Delaney - 05786 34047 LEINSTER HOUSE (standing orders) are followed. Email: [email protected] VISITOR GUIDE Its main functions are to hold Office opening hours: the government to account, SENATOR JOHN WHELAN debate important issues of the Monday - Friday, 9.30 - 5.00pm day, approve the spendings of I hope you enjoy your visit to the Houses of the facebook.com/JohnWhelan public money and pass new Oireachtas. If you have any queries feel free to legislation. 0612 @SenJohnWhelan contact me or to visit www.labour.ie Seanad Éireann is not directly elected and has less GOVERNMENT of which may be members of the power than the lower chamber, Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach is the head of the Seanad. The Tánaiste and Minister government. He/she is elected by for Finance must be members of There are 60 members: 43 are elected by outgoing TDs Dáil Éireann and then appoints the Dáil Éireann. and Senators and members of councils, 11 are government. There can be a single nominated by the Taoiseach and 6 are elected by the majority government or coalition OIREACHTAS COMMITTEES graduates of the National University of Ireland and the government depending on the Committees examine proposed graduates of Trinity College. composition of Dáil Éireann. legislation in detail, monitor Governments are usually formed government spending and often The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann performs a similar post-election. The government of invite organisations with a special role to the Ceann Comhairle in Dáil Éireann. The main the current 31st Dáil is a coalition interest in an area to contribute to functions of Seanad Éireann are to debate, amend, and between Fine Gael and The Labour their work. In the 31st Dáil there are pass legislation. Party. 9 Joint Oireachtas Committees. Each committee examines a Senators can initiate some legislation but not money Cabinet: The Taoiseach appoints a specific area of government bills. The Seanad can delay legislation but cannot veto James Connolly (1868 – 1916) cabinet comprising of at least 12 business such as transport, foreign Commissioned by the State in 1959. it. and not more that 15 ministers, 2 affairs and enterprise. One copy of the bust was presented to the National Gallery of Ireland on 5 April 1963 and the other placed in the HISTORY OF LEINSTER HOUSE Dáil Chamber in July, 1963. ELECTORAL SYSTEM Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote The house was originally known as Kildare Chamber. The Dáil Chamber was originally (PR-STV) in multi-seat constituencies is the electorial House after James Fitzgerald the Earl the lecture theatre of the RDS and was system used in Ireland. In practice this means that voters of Kildare, who commissioned it to opened as such in 1897. The room is can indicate first and subsequent choices for candidates. be built between 1745-47. James octagonal in shape and its original It can result in a greater representation of smaller Fitzgerald set out to create the seating capacity was 700. Little parties. stateliest of Dublin Georgian alteration was needed to adapt it mansions to reflect his eminent for parliamentary purposes: the position in Irish society. When floor was raised and the seating he became Duke of Leinster in capacity reduced. After the 1766 the house was renamed establishment of the Irish Free Leinster House. In 1815, State in 1922, the Government The President of Ireland, Uachtarain na hÉireann, is the Augustus Frederick, the third Duke obtained a part of Leinster House head of state and is directly elected every 7 years. of Leinster, sold the mansion to the for Parliamentary use. The entire Senator John Whelan contested the 2011 general election in Laois-Offaly receiving 9,026 votes, narrowly Candidates must be at least 35. The official residence is Royal Dublin Society (RDS) for building was acquired by the State in missing out on a seat before being elected to Seanad Éireann. He is a past pupil of Sacred Heart School Portlaoise, Áras an Uachtaráin. The President performs a largely £10,000 and a yearly rent of £600 which 1924. Today Leinster House is the seat of Monasterevin CBS and St. Paul's Secondary School. He is married to Grazyna and lives in Timahoe, Portlaoise. ceremonial role and has the power to refer a bill to the was later redeemed. The Society made the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil They have three children - Faith, Ricky and Martyna - who attended school in The Rock NS, Scoil Bhríde, Supreme Court. extensive additions to the House, most notably the Éireann and Seanad Éireann. Knockmay, Mountmellick Community School and Ballyfin College. lecture theatre, which was later to become the Dáil.