Dáil Éireann

There are 166 Members of Dail Éireann. They are known as TD's or Teachta Dála and all are directly elected by the people of Ireland.

Deputies to the Dáil have many functions and duties. A typical week of a TD involves:

• Meeting constituents and holding advice clinics,
• Attending the Dáil to discuss matters of local and national interest,
• Attending Committee meetings,
• Representing their constituents,
• Attending official functions etc.

TD's come from 43 Constituencies around Ireland. Which constituency do you live in?

Kildare is divided into two constituencies - Kildare North and Kildare South. There are 4 TD's representing the people of Kildare North in the Dáil:

Bernard Durkan - Fine Gael

Emmet Stagg - Labour

Catherine Murphy - Independent

Anthony Lawlor -  Fine Gael

Seanad Éireann

The Cathaoirleach Sheanad Éireann is Senator Paddy Burke, FG

The Cathaoirleach is the sole judge of order in the Seanad. His job involves:

• Calling members to speak and all speeches must be addressed to the Chair.
• Putting questions to the House, supervising votes and declaring the results.
• Keeping control of the Seanad debates and making sure Senators behave in an orderly manner.
• He has the power to suspend or adjourn the House.

A typical day in the Seanad involves:

• Debating and voting on legislation,
• Discussing matters of national importance,
• Attending Committee meetings,
• Providing important contributions and expertise to topics being debated.

In addition to their parliamentary duties, Senators also work on behalf of their electorate.
Find out more about the Seanad here

Senator Mary Ann O Brien is from Kildare. Read more about her here.

Irish flag protocol

What does the Irish flag stand for?

When is it flown at half mast? Where is half mast?

Why do we not fly the flag after dark?

 What should you do if the flag becomes torn or worn?

Irish flag protocol from Noeleen

From the Office of the Taoiseach

Action Project ideas

Democracy

• Mock election.
• Visit to Áras an Uachtaráin. the Daíl, the Senad, a prison,
• Guest speaker - local TD, Trade Union, National Youth Council, GAA

United Nations Observers

What did you learn about an election?

Concept: Democracy

What did you learn while you were completing your mock election project? If you can answer any of these questions you will be able to complete Page 8 of your Action Project Report booklet.

What is democracy? How does it work? Can you name somewhere that operates under a democracy? What is the opposite political idea to democracy?

What type of elections are held in Ireland? When are they held, how often? What is a referendum?

Who are the key players in an election? Who is the electorate, the candidates, the returning officer, polling officers, presiding officers, campaign manager, the tally person?

How does someone vote in an election? When can you vote? Where do you vote? Do you need identification to vote and why? What is the electoral register?

What do you know about the vote itself? What is PR? What is First past the post ?

What is a quota? What are transferable votes? What is a spoiled vote?

What is the timeline for an election? When can campaigning take place and when is it not allowed?

Here is a link to the Citizens Information website where you will find most of the answers to these questions.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/government_in_ireland/elections_and_referenda/

Irish Presidential elections

Concept: Democracy

Here is a link to how the President of Ireland is elected.

www.environ.ie

Elections

 

Source 

Concept: Democracy

Here are some key words connected with an election. How many can you use in your Action Project report?

Election - The act of choosing a person to fill an office.
Electorate - All the people entitled to vote in an election.  
Candidate - A person who offers him / her self, or is put forward by others, as a suitable person for an office.  
Dáil Éireann - The lower house of the parliament of the Irish Republic.
Teachtaí Dála - (TD in English), is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament)  
Read more >>>>>>>>>>>>

Democracy in Action - International

Concept: Democracy

Democracy in Action - InternationalAdvertisement"Democracy in Action" is a film made for BBC Two's Learning Zone to illustrate the democratic process. It covers four themes - UK politics, the media, international politics and the European Union. We've broken down the film into its four themes and in this one, about international politics, young people from the US, Switzerland, China, Dubai and Zimbabwe give their own views of their countries' political systems and regimes. This video was first broadcast on BBC Two on 12 June, 2009.

 

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_8233000/8233574.stm

Democracy in Action - UK politics

Concept: Democracy 

 Democracy in Action is an hour-long film made for BBC Two's Learning Zone to illustrate the democratic process. The film covers four themes - UK politics, the media, international politics and the European Union. We've broken down the film into its four themes and in this one, about UK politics, groups of young people engage with politics in different ways. They campaign against climate change, try to save their school from closure and a teenager stands for election as an MP.
This video was first broadcast on BBC Two on 12 June, 2009





Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_8233000/8233383.stm

Democracy in Action - European Union

Concept: Democracy 

 "Democracy in Action" is a film made for BBC Two's Learning Zone to illustrate the democratic process. It covers four themes - UK politics, the media, international politics and the European Union. We've broken down the film into its four themes and in this one, about the EU, we see young people living in a town in Europe where borders have been taken down under the Shengen Agreement. This video was first broadcast on BBC Two on 12 June, 2009.




Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_8233000/8233630.stm