What will Learn today?

1. What will Learn today? • Key words used in class today and what they mean. • The purpose of the 1937 Irish Constitution, when it was enacted and by whom. • What the Preambleis and understand the layout and general contents of the Constitution. • Where and How the Constitution informs us about two institutions established by it: The Government / Executive and the Oireachtas / National Parliament. • How a Bill to amend the Constitution becomes law. • To Identify key leaders of the State and the role of the CeannComhairle at Dáildebates. • How to participate and evaluate todays Model Parliament on the Children’s Bill 2012.

2. Todays Class 2: Outline • Review your preparations as assigned for todays Model Parliament: You were assigned various roles: Party X (The Government), Party Y (The opposition) independent Deputies and the CeannComhairle. You were required to research your position using material and links posted on the website. You were then required to post a Blog in favour or against the proposed changes to the Constitution concerning children’s rights. • Conduct a mock Parliament so that you can participate and have your say on the Children’s Bill recently enacted to amend the Constitution. The independents will vote. • The class will conclude with a quiz and Homework (written evaluation).

3. Key Words • Constitution • Founding Fathers • Sovereignty • The Oireachtas / National Parliament • The Government / Executive • Amendment • CeannComhairle • Referendum • Iris Oifigiúil

4. The Irish Constitution Constitutional Amendments.

5. The Irish Constitution • A Constitution is a body of fundamental principles according to which a state is governed. • The Constitution of Ireland BunreachtnahÉireann was drafted by our Founding Fathers– Members of the convention (assembly) that drew up the Constitution.

6. It was enacted by the people of Ireland in July 1937 and came into operation on the 29th December, 1937. • It is a Social Contractwhich binds each generation in Ireland.

7. The Constitution contains 50 Articles is the basic law of the State • It is the framework under which justice is administered and legal rights are enforced in courts established by law. • It recognises and guarantees protection of the fundamental rights of persons. • It establishes the institutions of the State and lays down the rules governing the interaction between the organs of State and between the State and the individual.

8. The Preamble • The Constitution is prefaced (begins with) the Preamble. • This a summary of the basic principles and aims of the document which supports the contents. • It identifies the supreme authority on which the Constitution is adopted and enacted (the Most Holy Trinity); it acknowledges the commonheritage of the Irish people; it states the purpose of the Constitution - “to promote the common good”.

9. After a list of the Amending Acts the list of contents appears. Articles                 Subject (Page) 1-14       Nation, State and President …. 2-36 15-27     National Parliament …. 36-94 28-33     The Government …. 95-129 34-39     The Courts …. 130-147 40-44     Fundamental Rights …. 148-169 45-50     General Principles …. 170-185

10. Article 6 of the Constitution. • This provides that all powers of Government(Executive),Legislature (Oireachtas– make laws) and the Judiciary (Judges – interpret laws) “derive, under God, from the people”. • This means that sovereignty (supreme power or authority) is vested in the Irish people.

11. The National Parliament (Article 15) • The National Parliament of Ireland is called the Oireachtas. • It has the sole and exclusive power of making laws for the State. • It shall not enact any law which is in any respect repugnant(in conflict) to the Constitution.

12. The National Parliament: Oireachtas The Oireachtas consists of the President and two Houses: • A House of Representatives called DáilÉireann. (Article 16: citizens who have reached the age of 21 years shall be eligible for membership; 21 years; Citizens who have reached the age of 18 years have the right to vote at an election for members of DáilÉireann) • A Senate called SeanadÉireann(60 members).

13. The Government / Executive (Article 28) • The Government is elected by the people to manage the country. • It must consist of not less than 7 and not more than 15 members who must be appointed by the President. • It is responsible to DáilÉireann(the lower House of Parliament or assembly composed of 166 members) • The head of the Government, or Prime Minister, is called the Taoiseach.

14. Do you know who they are?

15. The Tánaiste (Article 28) • The Taoiseach nominates a member of the Government to be the Tánaiste who will act for in the place of the Taoiseach if the Taoiseach should die, or become permanently incapacitated, until a new Taoiseach shall have been appointed. • The Tánaiste will also act for or in the place of the Taoiseach during the temporary absence of the Taoiseach.

16. Who is the Tánaiste?

17. Amendment of the Constitution (Article 46) • When a new article is added to the Constitution this is called a constitutional amendment. • Every proposal for an amendment is initiated (begins) in DáilÉireann as a Bill. • A Bill is a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion. • It is the Government which proposes a Constitutional Amendment. • Every Bill to amend the constitution must be expressed to be “An Act to amend the Constitution”.

18. Dáil Debates • The CeannComhairleis the chairman of DáilÉireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas(parliament) of Ireland. • The CeannComhairle is the sole judge of order in the house. • The CeannComhairle: Calls on members to speak. Supervises and declares the results of voting. Keeps order and rings a bell when deputies (TD’s) are out of order.

19. What does the Dáillook like?

20. Who is the CeannComhairle?

21. The Presidents role • When a Bill containing a proposal for the amendment of the Constitution is passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas (DáilÉireann and SeanadÉireann) it must be signed by the President forthwithupon his being satisfied that the provisions of this Article 46 have been complied with.

22. The Bill signed by the President Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 ___________ As passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is then submitted by Referendum to the decision of the people.

23. The Referendum (Article 47) • Every proposal for an amendment of this Constitution which is submitted by Referendum shall be held to have been approved by the people, if a majority of the votes cast at such Referendum are in favour of its enactment into law. • Section 40 of the Referendum Act 1994, states that the provisional referendum certificate must be published in Iris Oifigiúil (the Official Gazette - note 13 November 2012).

24. Thirty-first amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012: Referendum ResultSTATISTICS

25. What did you learn: Key Words • Constitution • Founding Fathers • Sovereignty • The Oireachtas / National Parliament • The Government / Executive • Amendment • CeannComhairle • Referendum • Iris Oifigiúil

26. What else did you will Learn • The purpose of the 1937 Irish Constitution, when it was enacted and by whom. • What the Preambleis and understand the layout and general contents of the Constitution. • Where and How the Constitution informs us about two institutions established by it: The Government / Executive and the Oireachtas / National Parliament. • How a Bill to amend the Constitution becomes law. • To Identify key leaders of the State and the role of the CeannComhairle at Dáildebates. • How to participate and evaluate todays Model Parliament on the Children’s Bill 2012.