Leinster House Visitor's Guide

History of Leinster House The house was originally known as Kildare House after James Fitzgerald, the Earl of Kildare, who commissioned it to be built between 1745-47. James Fitzgerald set out to create the stateliest of Dublin Georgian mansions to reflect his eminent position in Irish society. When he became Duke of Leinster in 1766 the house was renamed Leinster House.

In 1815, Augustus Frederick, the third Duke of Leinster, sold the mansion to the Royal Dublin Society

(RDS) for £10,000 and a yearly rent of £600 which was later redeemed. The Society made extensive additions to the House, most notably the lecture theatre, which was later to become the Dáil Chamber.

The Dáil Chamber was originally the lecture theatre of the RDS and was opened as such in 1897. The room is octagonal in shape and its original seating capacity was 700. Little alteration was needed to adapt it for parliamentary purposes: the floor was raised and the seating capacity reduced.

After the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, the Government obtained a part of Leinster House for parliamentary use. The entire building was acquired by the State in 1924.

Today Leinster House is the seat of the two Houses of the Oireachtas: Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

Visitors to Leinster House: Famous visitors to Leinster House include former US Presidents John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke and former French President Francois Mitterand.

Leinster House

Colm Brophy TD Colm Brophy is your Fine Gael T.D. in Dublin SouthWest. Colm has a long history serving the people of our community and is honoured to have been elected to represent Dublin South West in the 32nd Dáil. Prior to his election to Dáil Éireann, Colm served on South Dublin County Council since 2008.

Visitors Guide

Colm’s record as a County Councillor proves his commitment to supporting local businesses, in the past he has voted to cut both Commercial Rates.

As a T.D one of Colm’s key priorities is to continue his work to make Dublin South-West as appealing to small businesses as possible.

Since Colm’s election to Dáil Éireann he has been appointed to two Oireachtas Committees, one Committee has been established to scrutinise upcoming EU legalisation of which he is Chairman and the other is working to tackle homelessness and the housing crisis.

Colm Brophy TD Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare St, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-6183196 Email: colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie @brophytalks ColmBrophyFineGael

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Electoral System Proportional Representation

by Single Transferable Vote (PR-STV) in multi-seat constituencies is the electoral system used in Ireland. In practice this means that voters can indicate first and subsequent choices for candidates. It can result in a greater representation of smaller parties.

Colm Brophy TD

Fáilte romhaibh go léir go dtí Tithe anOireachtais.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas.If you have any queries, please feel free to contact me.

Is mise, le meas, Colm Brophy TD

The Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann contains the fundamental rules and laws by which our political system is governed. It outlines our constitutional rights as citizens. It was enacted in 1937.

The Constitution outlines the function of the Oireachtas.

The Oireachtas consists of three different bodies: the President, Seanad Éireann (the upper house) and Dáil Éireann (the lower house).

Dáil Éireann is the primary legislative body. There are 158 directly elected TDs (Teachta Dalaí) representing 40 constituencies. The Ceann Comhairle chairs proceedings in Dáil Éireann making sure that the rules for debate (standing orders) are followed. Its main functions are to hold the government to account, debate important issues of the day, approve the spending of public money and pass new legislation.

Seanad Éireann is not directly elected and has less power than the lower chamber, Dáil Éireann.

There are 60 members. 43 are elected by outgoing TDs and Senators, as well as members of county and city councils. 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach. 6 are elected by the graduates of the National University of Ireland and the graduates of Trinity College. The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann performs a similar

role to the Ceann Comhairle in Dáil Éireann. The main functions of Seanad Éireann are to debate, amend and pass legislation. Senators can initiate legislation, but not money bills. It can delay legislation but not veto it.

Cabinet: The Taoiseach appoints a cabinet comprising at least 7 and not more than 14 Ministers, 2 of whom may be members of the Seanad.

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance must be members of Dáil Éireann.

Government

The Taoiseach is the head of government. He/she is elected by Dáil Éireann and then appoints the government. There can be single majority government or a government comprising a number of political parties and/or independent representatives, depending on the composition of Dáil Éireann. Governments are usually formed post-election. The government of the current 32nd Dáil is a minority government lead by Fine Gael supported by members of the Independent Alliance, and a number of other independent TDs. Oireachtas Committees Committees examine proposed legislation in detail, monitor government spending and often invite organisations with a special interest in an area to contribute to their work. Typically Oireachtas Committees are established to ‘shadow’ the activities of Government Departments and public bodies falling within the remit of those Departments in relation to general policy issues.

The President of Ireland, Uachtarán na hÉireann is the head of state and is directly elected every 7 years.

Candidates must be at least 35.

The official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin. The President performs a largely ceremonial role but does have the power to refer a bill to the Supreme Court. President Michael D Higgins is the 9th President of Ireland. The previous Presidents are Douglas Hyde, Séan T O’Kelly, Eamon deValera, Erskine Childers, Cearbhall O’Dalaigh, Patrick Hillery, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese.