Ireland

House of Representatives Senate

House of Representatives

Political system: Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Oversight tools

Parliament/Chamber has the power to summon members of the government: Yes

Sources:
2020 Dáil Standing Order 96

https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/parliamentaryBusiness/standingOrders/dail/2021/2021-01-27_consolidated-dail-eireann-standing-orders-january-2021_en.pdf
Parliament/chamber has the power to summon senior government officials: Yes

Sources: 2020 Dáil Standing Order 96
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments: No
Parliament/chamber has the power to approve key government appointments: Yes
Number of written questions asked, per year: 68,153

(2022)
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year: 55,688

(2022)

Notes: Figures reflect the total number of parliamentary questions processed (oral and written) as well as those withdrawn and disallowed. Between 1,000 to 2,000 questions are answered orally each year and orally submitted questions can be answered with a written response.
Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year: 81.7%

(2022)
Parliament/chamber has power to carry out inquiries: Yes

Sources: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Act 2013.
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year: 0

(2022)

Notes:
Numbers refer to a Joint Committee Inquiry into the Banking Crisis (Nov 2014-January 2016)

Head of State and/or Government

Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government: Parliament elects the Head of Government

Notes: The President shall, on the nomination of Dáil Éireann, appoint the Taoiseach, that is, the head of the Government or Prime Minister

Sources: Constitution, art. 13
The Head of Government is also the Head of State: No
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State: Parliament does not play a role

Notes: The President is directly elected by the people.

Sources: Constitution, art. 12

Impeachment and confidence motions

Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Yes
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber

Notes:
Constitution, art. 18(9-10)

The Taoiseach (Head of Government) shall resign from office upon ceasing to retain the support of a majority in the Dáil Éireann unless, on his/her advice, the President dissolves the Dáil Éireann and upon its reassembly, the Taoiseach secures the support of a majority in the Dáil Éireann.

Impeachment procedure

There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Not applicable

No confidence processes

There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: The whole Government

The Head of Government

Individual members of the Executive
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber

Sources: According to the Dáil Standing Orders, the Dáil may pass a motion of censure or ‘no confidence’ in the Taoiseach, government or individual member. In practice, Governments have chosen to resign rather than be defeated on a confidence motion.

Updated at	Number of written questions asked, per year
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	68,153
2021-01	68,297
2020-01	48,735
2019-01	57,697
2018-01	58,727

Updated at	Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	55,688
2021-01	55,898
2020-01	No information available
2019-01	47,197
2018-01	47,673
2017-01	48,641
2016-01	28,963
2015-01	38,655
2014-01	40,639
2013-01	39,952

Updated at	Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	81.7%
2021-01	81.8%
2020-01	No information available
2019-01	81.8%
2018-01	81.2%

Updated at	Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
2023-01	No information available
2022-01	0
2021-01	0
2020-01	0
2019-01	0
2018-01	0
2017-01	No information available
2016-01	1
2015-01	1
2014-01	1
2013-01	0

Ireland

House of Representatives

Oversight

Oversight tools

Head of State and/or Government

Impeachment and confidence motions

Impeachment procedure

No confidence processes

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for Number of written questions asked, per year

Historical data for Number of written questions answered by the government, per year

Historical data for Percentage of written questions answered by the government, per year

Historical data for Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year