Law of the Republic of Ireland
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The Republic of Ireland has a common law legal system with four main sources of law:
- Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann)
- Legislation
- Primary Legislation - Acts of the Oireachtas
- Secondary Legislation - Statutory Instrument
- Case law
- European Community Law
Contents |
Historical
The state became independent in 1922 as the Irish Free State, its constitution the Constitution of the Irish Free State, carried all previous British, English and Irish law forward into law. In 1937 the state proclaimed a new constitution, the Constitution of Ireland, and renamed the state as Ireland (Éire) now generally known as the Republic of Ireland. All previous law was also carried forward at this time, with it being left at the discression of the Oireachtas to reform these laws.
As a common law jurisdiction Irish legal practice shares much in common with British practice. Typically Acts of the Oireachtas have a long and short title as well as an enacting formulae. The President of Ireland must sign all bills into law as passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, but does have a number of limited powers to decline signing, generally this means referral to the Supreme Court but does include other methods of referal not yet evoked.
Irish Statute Book
The Irish Statute Book in its broadest sense is the total of all laws which are applicable the Republic of Ireland at this time, these include all British, English and Irish laws made over the centuries. All primary and secondary legislation enacted since 1922 have been made available for free access to all via the internet by the Office of the Attorney-General of Ireland.
See also
External links
Government
- Irish Statute Book - main site
- Acts of the Oireachtas - Irish & English
- Office of the Attorney General of Ireland
