| Dáil Éireann ( doyl AIR-ən, Irish: [ˌd̪ˠaːlʲ ˈeːɾʲən̪ˠ]; lit. 'Assembly of Ireland') is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house). It consists of 160 members, each known as a Teachta Dála (plural Teachtaí Dála, commonly abbreviated as TDs). TDs represent 39 constituencies and are directly elected for terms not exceeding five years, on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV). Its powers are similar to those of lower houses under many other bicameral parliamentary systems and it is by far the dominant branch of the Oireachtas. Subject to the limits imposed by the Constitution of Ireland, it has power to pass any law it wishes, and to nominate and remove the Taoiseach (head of government). Since 1922, it has met in Leinster House in Dublin.
The Dáil took its current form when the 1937 Constitution was adopted, but it maintains continuity with the First Dáil established in 1919. |
