1. The Irish Parliament Oireachtas (Irish name)

2. Composition The President of Ireland The two Houses of the Oireachtas (Tithe an Oireachtais): – Dáil Éireann (Lower) – Seanad Éireann (Upper)

3. Leinster House, Dublin

4. President Mary McAleese

5. Speakers Pat Moylan Cathaoirleach John O’Donaghue Ceann Comhairle

6. Political groups Fianna Fail Fine Gael Labour Party Green Party Sinn Fein Progressive Democrats

7. Powers Legislate, including a power vested in the Dáil of approving the financial resolutions relevant to the budget. Create subordinate legislatures. Propose changes to the constitution (must be initiated in the Dáil), which must then be submitted to a referendum. Raise military or armed forces. Allow international agreements to become part of the domestic law of the state. Pass certain laws having extra-territorial effect (in accordance with the similar practices of other states). Enact, when it considers a state of emergency to exist, almost any law it deems necessary.

8. Limitations Laws are invalid if, and to the extent that, they contradict the constitution. In the event of a conflict, EU law also takes precedence over acts of the Oireachtas. It may not retrospectively criminalise acts that were not illegal at the time they were committed. It may not enact any law providing for the imposition of the death penalty, even during a state of emergency. It can only legislate for the Republic of Ireland and not for Northern Ireland.