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Subjects · Leaving Cert Politics & Society

Leaving Cert Politics & Society: Irish government & institutions

How often Irish government & institutions comes up on the Politics & Society papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 6 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 6 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Irish government & institutions, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Irish government & institutions.

(a)Who nominates the Taoiseach?
  1. The President
  2. Dáil Éireann
  3. Seanad Éireann
(b)What is the role of the Ceann Comhairle?
  1. Give the government legal advice
  2. Lead the largest opposition party
  3. Chair Dáil debates impartially
(c)What can the President do with a bill they believe may be unconstitutional?
  1. Refer it to the Supreme Court
  2. Send it to the Seanad for a new vote
  3. Veto it permanently
Show the answers

(a) Dáil Éireann

(b) Chair Dáil debates impartially

(c) Refer it to the Supreme Court

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Irish government & institutions.

Higher Level

Asked on 6 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1i
2024Q1b
2023Q1a, Q1c
2022Q1a, Q1d
2021Q1a
2019Not asked
2018Q1b

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

More Irish government & institutions questions

Irish government & institutions, 2 marks

What is the role of the Attorney General?

  1. Head of the Garda Síochána
  2. Chair of Seanad Éireann
  3. Legal adviser to the Government
Show the answer

Legal adviser to the Government

Under Article 30 the Attorney General advises the Government on law. The Attorney General attends Cabinet but is not a member of the Government.

Irish government & institutions, 2 marks

If the Dáil insists on an ordinary bill, for about how long can the Seanad delay it?

  1. Indefinitely
  2. 90 days
  3. One year
Show the answer

90 days

Article 23 limits the Seanad to delaying ordinary bills (about 90 days); it cannot block them. The Dáil is the dominant house of the Oireachtas.

Irish government & institutions, 3 marks

What is pre-legislative scrutiny in the Oireachtas?

  1. A committee examines a draft bill early
  2. The President checks a bill after it passes
  3. The Supreme Court reviews a new law
Show the answer

A committee examines a draft bill early

An Oireachtas committee studies the general scheme of a bill, hears experts and interest groups, and reports before the bill is published.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 6 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1h, Q1n
2024Q1l
2023Q1l
2022Q1c, Q1l
2021Q1a, Q9
2019Q1a, Q1e
2018Not asked

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

More Irish government & institutions questions

Irish government & institutions, 2 marks

Which body votes to nominate the Taoiseach?

  1. Seanad Éireann
  2. The Supreme Court
  3. Dáil Éireann
Show the answer

Dáil Éireann

After a general election the Dáil votes to nominate a Taoiseach, who is then appointed by the President. The President has no choice in the matter.

Irish government & institutions, 2 marks

The separation of powers divides government into which three branches?

  1. President, Dáil and Seanad
  2. Legislative, executive and judicial
  3. Local, national and European
Show the answer

Legislative, executive and judicial

The Oireachtas makes laws, the government runs the country and the courts interpret the law. Splitting power this way stops any one group from having too much.

Irish government & institutions, 2 marks

Which court is the final court of appeal on whether a law is constitutional?

  1. The Supreme Court
  2. The District Court
  3. The European Court of Human Rights
Show the answer

The Supreme Court

Judicial review lets the superior courts strike down laws that break the Constitution. This is a check on the Oireachtas and part of the separation of powers.

Other Politics & Society topics

All of Leaving Cert Politics & Society