VOTING & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
If you are resident in Ireland, you have the right to vote in local elections, regardless of your immigration status. If you are an Irish citizen, you can also vote in the General (national) Elections.
NEXT ELECTION IN IRELAND
- Local Election: 24th May 2019
- General Election: before 12th April 2021
WHO CAN VOTE IN THE LOCAL ELECTION?
All residents of Ireland can register to vote in the local elections, regardless of nationality or immigration status. For example, if you are a current international protection applicant, you are eligible to register to vote and to take part in the local elections. To take part in the elections, you need to register to vote by adding your details to the Register of Electors.
The next local elections in Ireland are due to take place in May 2019.
WHO CAN VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION?
In order to take part and vote in the Elections, you must be an Irish citizen or British citizen, aged over 18 years and ordinarily living in Ireland. You will need to register to vote (see below for details) in advance of the Election by adding your details to the Register of Electors (published in November) or to the Supplement (between November and 15 days before the Election takes place).
HOW CAN I REGISTER TO VOTE?
In order to take part in the election process, you must register to vote. If you are unsure as to whether you are already registered to vote, please visit www.checktheregister.ie
If you are registering to vote for the first time, you will need to complete the following form, which is available online and at your local authority (i.e. Franchise Section, Limerick City & County Council), before 1st November 2018: RFA Form 2019
It is possible to register for the Supplement to the Register after the 1st November 2018 and up until 14 days before polling day. You will need to complete the RFA 2 Form and have it stamped by a member of An Garda Síochána (Irish police). Please visit www.checktheregister.ie for further details and application forms.
If you would like assistance completing this process, please contact Doras staff and we will be happy to help you.
WHAT IS THE GENERAL ELECTION?
The General Election will decide and elect members of the Dáil – Ireland’s lower house of Parliament, also known as the House of Representatives. In 2016, the General Election elected a total of 158 members of the Dáil (known as TDs) to represent the citizens of Ireland across 40 electoral districts (constituencies). This decides Ireland’s future Government, including the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister).
After the General Election, members of Dáil Eireann (TDs) elect the Taoiseach and the Taoiseach then elects members of the Government who will be Ministers of the Government Departments.
WHO IS MY LOCAL TD & WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR ME?
To find the contact details of your local TD, see here. Your local TD represents your constituency (electoral district). Your local TD acts on your behalf and can make representations for you in Dáil Eireann – the Irish lower house of Parliament. The main role of a TD is to enact legislation. If there is an issue that you would like your local TD to raise in the Dáil (lower house of Parliament), you can contact your local TD by phone, by email/ in writing, or in person by visiting ‘local clinics’ in your area. Doras Luimní regularly contact local TDs in Limerick about migrant-related issues of concern and we can help you to ‘lobby’ TDs if you wish.
HOW DOES THE VOTING SYSTEM WORK IN IRELAND?
The system of voting in all elections in Ireland is by proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV). Proportional representation means that you can indicate your first choice as well as subsequent choices for the candidates.
The names of the candidates will appear in alphabetical order on the ballot paper. You indicate your first choice by writing 1 opposite your first choice and 2 opposite your second choice, 3 opposite your third choice and so on. You may stop marking your paper after 1 or 2 or you may continue until a preference has been given to all candidates ending with the candidate of your lowest choice.
When you vote like this, you are instructing the returning officer to transfer your vote to the second choice candidate if your first choice is either elected with a surplus of votes over the quota or is eliminated. If your second choice is elected or eliminated, your vote may be transferred to your third choice and so on.
For more information on how the Dáil is elected, see here: How the Dáil is elected
HOW DOES THE POLITICAL SYSTEM WORK IN IRELAND?
Ireland is a parliamentary democracy. The National Parliament of Ireland (Oireachtas) consists of the President and two Houses: Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate). The President (Uachtarán na hÉireann) exercises his/her powers on the advice of the Government. The President also has absolute discretion in certain matters. The President is elected directly by the people every 7 years. The current president is Michael D. Higgins. For more details about the presidency go to www.president.ie.
The method of election to each House is different. The Seanad is largely an advisory body. It consists of sixty members: 11 nominated by the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), six elected by 3 national universities and 43 elected from vocational panels. The Seanad has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dáil.
The Members of Dáil Éireann (TDs) are directly elected by the people at least once every five years. It currently has 166 members but in General Election 2016, 158 members will be elected. Dáil Éireann is only one of three components of the Oireachtas (as well as the President and the Seanad), but it is the most powerful branch and most proposals passed Dáil Éireann will become law. The Constitution of Ireland lays out the functions and powers of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament = President; Dáil Eireann; Seanad). For more information on how the Irish Parliament works, see here: How the Irish Parliament Works (online learning guide – external link).
- Oireachtas
The national parliament of Ireland which consists of the President, and two Houses of Parliament – Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. - Dáil Éireann
Known as the Dáil for short. The Dáil is the House of Representatives, one of two Houses of the Oireachtas (Parliament). - Seanad Éireann
Known as the Seanad for short or the Senate. - TD
Member of Dáil Eireann – also known as Deputy, Teachta Dála, directly translates as messenger to the Dáil. - Senator
A Member of Seanad Éireann. - Taoiseach
The head of the Irish Government, Prime Minister of Ireland. - Tánaiste
Irish Deputy Prime Minister. - Ceann Comhairle
The Chairperson of Dáil Éireann who chairs the proceedings and makes sure that all TDs are treated fairly and that the rules of the house are followed. - Cathaoirleach
Chairperson of Seanad Éireann (Senate). - Bunreacht na hÉireann
The Irish Constitution.
MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES – EXTERNAL LINKS
For more information on the main political parties in Ireland and their policies, click on the following links:
