LAW07064 2021 Constitutional Law and Government

The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the institutional structure of the Irish State and its administrative and political governance. This module will examine how the provisions of the Constitution impact the relationship between the different branches of government and its administration. Through close examination of leading cases, the module will provide an opportunity for engagement with the politics of government, the principles of the administration of the public sector and local government, and the functioning of democratic institutions. Tensions between fundamental rights and the common good and the necessity for pragmatism in the practice of government will be explored as we develop our understanding of the role of constitutional law in a modern democracy.

"Constitutional Law in Ireland" is an essential guide to the core principles and provisions of Irish Constitutional Law and is a new addition to the student focused Core Text Series. This book is written primarily for third level students who are covering Irish Constitutional Law as part of their law degree or related studies. Designed and written as an introductory text to the key principles of Irish constitutional law this book covers all the basic aspects of constitutional law, including the following: The constitutional history of Ireland; The concepts of the Nation and State with relation to the constitutional position of Northern Ireland, Ireland in the EU and International Relations; A consideration of the doctrine of the separation of powers, the organisation and powers of the organs of government, including the Oireachtas, the Cabinet, the Courts and the President; Constitutional Rights including Family, Life, Education and constitutional justice; The process of constitutional interpretation, amendment and reform including a consideration of proposed referendums. "Constitutional Law in Ireland" is an excellent introduction to this key area of undergraduate study, and can also be used as an ongoing revision and reference source to provide extra support to students throughout their studies. (Series: The Core Text Series) [Subject: Constitutional Law, Irish Law]

Since the previous edition of this book, changes have taken place with Ireland's Articles of the Constitution, including challenges to the Articles, referenda, new legislation, and judicially-considered cases. This third edition is almost completely re-written as a result of the tumultuous changes in Irish constitutional law. Author Michael Ford - an accomplished constitutional law author and practitioner - offers the reader everything needed to know on this complex subject.

This book provides a contextual analysis of constitutional governance in Ireland. It presents the 1937 Constitution as a seminal moment in an ongoing constitutional evolution, rather than a foundational event. The book demonstrates how the Irish constitutional order revolves around a bipartite separation of powers. The Government is dominant but is legally constrained by the courts, particularly in their interpretations of the fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. In recent decades, the courts have weakened the constitutional constraints on the Government. Political constraints imposed by opposition parties in Parliament and new accountability institutions (such as the Ombudsman) have moderately strengthened but the Government remains by far the most powerful political actor. There is a risk that such executive dominance could lead to democratic decay; however, the referendum requirement for constitutional amendment has prevented Governments from accumulating greater constitutional power. The book begins with an overview of Irish constitutional history leading to the enactment of the 1937 Constitution, before exploring the foundational decisions made by the Constitution in relation to territory, people and citizenship. Particular attention is paid to the constitutional relationship with Northern Ireland, currently unsettled by the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. The book details the key institutions of state (Government, Parliament, President and courts), before analysing how different constitutional actors exercise their respective powers of governance, contestation and oversight. A thematic approach is taken to the courts' interpretation of fundamental rights, showing how judicial attitudes have markedly changed over time. Further attention is paid to both formal amendment and informal constitutional change. The Constitution today is markedly different from 1937: it is non-committal on national reunification, less influenced by Roman Catholic natural law teaching, and generally more permissive of Government action. It is perhaps these developments, however, that explain its continued success or, at least, its longevity.

Adopting the casebook method, this book both provides an introduction to the general principles and themes in constitutional law and offers a critical insight and analysis that will be challenging to student, practitioner and academic alike.

This text opens with an exploration of the historical background to the Constitution of 1937, and proceeds to examine institutions, functions, rights and the relationship of the Irish Constitution to European and International Law. It has been updated and expanded to include many recent developments in the field. It is an update of cases and legislation since 1992, taking into account the Constitutional Review Group Report and the Belfast Agreement.

The 6th edition of Andrew Heywoods best-selling undergraduate textbook provides a clear and accessible introduction to the political creeds and doctrines that have dominated and shaped politics around the world. The author offers a clear exposition both of the historical development of each ideology and of the impact it has had on contemporary political behaviour, movements, parties and governments. In recent years, political commentators have heralded a renaissance of popular political ideology, characterised by a resurgence of issues and political traditions that many had thought obsolete. This new edition is updated throughout to take account of these developments, broadening its appeal internationally. The book is particularly relevant for first and second year undergraduate teaching, and can be used to structure a whole course on political ideologies covering traditional ideologies (conservatism, socialism, liberalism, anarchism and fascism) as well as concepts which have developed into concrete ideologies more recently (multiculturalism, feminism and ecologism, amongst others).

Bunreacht na hEireann - The Irish Constitution 

The Irish Jurist - http://irishjurist.com/

• www.irishstatutebook.ie   
•  www.oireachtas.ie   
• www.courts.ie     
• www.attorneygeneral.ie   
• www.dppireland.ie  
• www.lawreform.ie 
• www.ihrec.ie
• www.europa.eu 
•  www.coe.int 
•  www.un.org
• www.iccl.ie   
• www.legalaid.ie 
• www.flac.ie
• www.lawsociety 
• www.lawlibrary  
• www.westlaw.ie 
• www.irlii.org 

Max Planck Encyclopaedia of Comparative Constitutional Law https://oxcon.ouplaw.com/home/MPECCOL

Oxford Constitutions of the World https://oxcon.ouplaw.com/home/OCW