Legal System of Ireland
Ireland is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in western europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of ireland in the north atlantic ocean, west of great britain. The country achieved independence on 6 december 1921 (from the uk); 6 december 1922 (irish free state established); 18 april 1949 (republic of ireland act enabled). The capital is Dublin.
Government Overview
Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Catherine CONNOLLY (since 11 November 2025) Head of Government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Michael MARTIN (since 23 January 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament) Administrative Divisions: 28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow National Holiday: Saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Ireland is described as common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937 Amendment Process: proposed as bills by Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, majority vote in a referendum, and presidential signature
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members – the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal – and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law) Judge Selection: judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; chief justice serves in the position for 7 years; judges can serve until age 70 Subordinate Courts: High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (Dáil Éireann) (174 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: Senate (Seanad Éireann - Senate)
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child Citizenship by Descent: yes Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
Celtic tribes arrived in Ireland between 600 and 150 B.C. Norse invasions that began in the late 8th century finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century caused an almost 25-percent decline in the island's population through starvation, disease, and emigration.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Ireland based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.