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Subjects · Leaving Cert Politics & Society

Leaving Cert Politics & Society: ECHR & rights in Europe

How often ECHR & rights in Europe comes up on the Politics & Society papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 2 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

OL Asked on 2 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024.

ECHR & rights in Europe, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on ECHR & rights in Europe.

(a)Where does the European Court of Human Rights sit?
  1. Luxembourg
  2. Strasbourg
  3. Brussels
(b)Before taking a case to the European Court of Human Rights, what must a person usually do?
  1. Win the support of an MEP
  2. Get permission from the European Commission
  3. Exhaust all remedies in their own courts
(c)Which Irish law gives further effect to the ECHR in Irish law?
  1. The European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003
  2. The Equal Status Act 2000
  3. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014
Show the answers

(a) Strasbourg

(b) Exhaust all remedies in their own courts

(c) The European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003

Your turn: Higher Level questions on ECHR & rights in Europe.

Higher Level

Asked on 2 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q7
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Q1f

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More ECHR & rights in Europe questions

ECHR & rights in Europe, 3 marks

Under the ECHR Act 2003, how must Irish courts treat Irish laws?

  1. Strike down any Irish law that conflicts with the Convention
  2. Refer every human rights case to the Strasbourg court
  3. Interpret them compatibly with the Convention where possible
Show the answer

Interpret them compatibly with the Convention where possible

If this is impossible, the superior courts can issue a declaration of incompatibility, but the law stays valid. The Constitution remains supreme.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q1p
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Q1b

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More ECHR & rights in Europe questions

ECHR & rights in Europe, 2 marks

Which body drew up the European Convention on Human Rights (1950)?

  1. The European Union
  2. The United Nations
  3. The Council of Europe
Show the answer

The Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is separate from the EU and has more members. Ireland made the Convention part of Irish law through the ECHR Act 2003.

ECHR & rights in Europe, 3 marks

Before going to the European Court of Human Rights, a person must usually do what?

  1. Be a citizen of a member state of the EU
  2. Use up all legal options in their own country
  3. Get written permission from the Taoiseach first
Show the answer

Use up all legal options in their own country

The Court hears cases only after domestic remedies are exhausted. Anyone in a Council of Europe state can apply. Norris v Ireland (1988) is a famous Irish case.

ECHR & rights in Europe, 3 marks

Is the Council of Europe part of the European Union?

  1. No, it is a separate and larger organisation
  2. Yes, it is the EU's main law-making body
  3. Yes, it is another name for the European Parliament
Show the answer

No, it is a separate and larger organisation

The Council of Europe has more members than the EU and oversees the ECHR and the Strasbourg court. Do not confuse it with the Council of the EU or the European Council.

Other Politics & Society topics

All of Leaving Cert Politics & Society