Start here for a quick understanding of politics and advocating for the world’s poor.

 

What you’ll learn:

• Which political leaders to focus on.
• Who your leaders are and how to contact them.
• How a bill becomes a law
• How to influence your leaders.
• Helpful information.

 

1. What politicians should I focus on? In the context of Irish Parliament, you should primarily focus on the Teachtaí Dála (TDs) who represent your specific constituency. These TDs have the power to influence policy decisions, allocate funding, and pass legislation. While the role of the Taoiseach, President, and government is significant, engaging with your local TDs allows you to directly impact the legislative process and advocate for specific issues related to poverty reduction.

2. Who are my leaders and how can I contact them? To find your TDs, you can visit the official Oireachtas website or use online tools that provide information based on your address. These resources will help you identify the three-to-five Teachtaí Dála representing your constituency. Once you have their names, you can easily locate their contact information via their profiles on the Oireachtas website.

3. How does a bill become a law? This video explains how a Bill becomes a Law. However, we have also written a detailed explanation below:

• • Drafting: Bills can be drafted by members in either the Dáil Éireann and the Seanad, though many are actually drafted by Government Ministers. When the Government does so, there is usually a consultation process with the relevant department(s) and these bills may have to go through a pre-legislative scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas Committee(s). Bills by members cannot involve taxation or using public funds, unless previously recommended by the government.
  • Initiation: After the bill is ready, it is either introduced (for bills drafted by members) or presented (for bills drafted by Government Ministers) to Parliament. Bills introduced by members typically are introduced with a group of members, a minimum of 7 TDs for the Dáil Éireann or a minimum of 5 Senators for the Seanad. However, a single TD (or a group of 3 Senators) can seek to introduce a bill, but it would require a Parliament vote at this point for them to proceed. For other bills (Government Bills, or bills introduced by a group), as long as the content complies with the Standing Orders of Parliament, it is then added to an Order Paper to proceed in the legislative process.
  • General Debate: The bill is then reviewed by all members in the originating chamber. There is a general debate around the principles of the bill. Members may speak regarding amendments and/or additions that they would like to see to the bill, but they are limited to a short amount of time in which they can speak. After a, typically lengthy, debate, the chamber then votes on if it should continue in the legislative process. If it’s approved for the bill to continue, it moves on to the committee stage.
  • Committee: There are currently 35 Oireachtas committees, including Joint, Select, and Standing Committees. Each committee is assigned to a specific policy focus area, or areas. As part of the examination of an introduced bill, it will be decided which committee most fits the topic of the bill, and that committee will receive the bill for detailed review, debate, and amendments or additions may be proposed by any member. If amendments are proposed, they then discuss the bill with the relevant Minister for consideration. There is no limit to the amount of time that any individual member can speak, or even the number of times that an individual member can speak about the bill. As a result, the committee stage can be particularly lengthy.
  • Report: After the committee has finished, the bill is reported back to the originating chamber’s floor as a whole. Any amendments made while the bill was in committee are reviewed, and this is also the last stage in which the bill can be amended by members. Each individual member is time limited to two speeches per amendment, with their second speech limited to a maximum of 2 minutes. If the Government wants to make significant changes to the bill at this point, it may have to go back to the Committee stage. However, usually, once all of the amendments have been dealt with, it can go to the final vote. The final vote often takes place on the same day as the final stage, but not always.
  • Final stage: No amendments can be made at this point and members may only make very brief comments, it is no longer the time for in-depth discussion. Each member casts their vote on the bill.
  • Second chamber: If passed, it then moves on to the other chamber, where the bill goes through this process again. It is important to note, however, that if the Dáil Éireann passes a bill (and bills usually are originating in the Dáil Éireann), the Seanad can only delay the bill, not fully stop it. The Seanad can choose to vote to not pass a bill, but, if they do, the Dáil Éireann can simply introduce and pass a resolution saying the bill passed both chambers.
  • Enactment: Once a bill has passed Parliament, the Taoiseach presents it to the President to sign it into law. It is very rare, and only under extreme circumstances (such as a conflict with the Constitution), that the President may refuse to sign a bill. If the President has questions about a bill’s constitutionality, it is sent to the Supreme Court to make the final decision. However, in most cases, the President will sign the bill into law. The law is then added to the Statute Book and implemented.
  • How long does it take for a bill to pass? The legislative process can vary in duration. Bills can be introduced and passed within a relatively short period, while others may take several months or even years to become law. It depends on the complexity of the bill, political considerations, and the level of support it receives from various Teachtaí Dála.

5. Gaining Support? In the context of the Irish Parliament, the term “cosponsor” is not commonly used. However, throughout the entire legislative process, TDs can support or endorse specific bills by expressing their agreement or voting in favor of the proposed legislation. The support of members is crucial in pushing for bills to be scheduled for debates, votes, and potential passage into law. Advocacy efforts often involve urging TDs to support and champion key poverty-reduction bills in order to generate momentum and secure parliamentary action.

6. Know your leaders. Keep up to date with your leaders, their daily activities, and the daily activities of Parliament. We recommend bookmarking KildareStreet.

7. Is my leader on a key Committee or Target Group? Engaging every Teachta Dála is important, but engaging with Teachtaí Dála in key positions is crucial for advancing poverty-reduction initiatives. If your leaders serve on the following committees or groups, it is important to mobilize support and contact them to express your advocacy for poverty-related legislation.

• • The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Members on this committee handle many bills related to global poverty reduction and play a significant role in advancing them through the legislative process.
  • The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Taoiseach: Members on this committee monitor the allocation of funding for government programs and agencies, including those addressing poverty.
  • The Standing Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Members on this committee determine the budget for government programs and agencies, including those addressing poverty.
  • Party Leadership: MPs in leadership positions have significant influence over parliamentary decisions, including the scheduling and prioritization of bills.
  • Caucuses, Associations, or Groups: Some MPs may be part of caucuses, associations, or groups that focus on poverty-related issues. Identifying these MPs and engaging with them can be instrumental in gaining support for poverty-reduction bills.

8. Are you a ‘Dual Constituent’? Okay so we totally just made up the term ‘Dual Constituent,’ but we’re trying to find a way to describe people with ties to multiple constituencies, such as studying in a different area than where you grew up or where you live with your parents outside of the school year, it is essential to leverage this opportunity. As a ‘Dual Constituent,’ you can maximize your impact by contacting and engaging with leaders from all the constituencies to which you have connections.

9. How can I influence my leaders to support legislation that improves living conditions for millions of people? You’ve come to the right place! Here are the key ways to make an impact:

• • Email your leaders to express support for key bills. Even a few seconds of your time can bring important issues to their attention.
  • Mobilize others to contact Parliament. Encourage friends, family, and community members to join in advocating for Official Development Assistance (ODA) or poverty-reduction legislation. The more people who express support, the stronger the message becomes.
  • Engage in lobbying efforts. You don’t have to be an expert to meet with your elected officials. Communicate your passion for addressing global poverty and highlight key points about the ODA or legislation you’re advocating for. Sending a thank-you email after the meeting is an opportunity to reinforce important information.
  • Utilize social media platforms. Your leaders and their staff often monitor social media for constituent concerns and support. Tweeting or posting on Facebook about poverty-related issues can help raise awareness and gain attention from your leaders.
  • Remember, your individual efforts, multiplied by the engagement of others, can make a significant difference in influencing your leaders to support legislation that improves the lives of millions of people affected by poverty.

Parliament in a Nutshell

 

 

 

 

 

• The Irish Parliament (Oireachtas) consists of two chambers: the Dáil Éireann and the Seanad.
• There are a total of 174 members in the Dáil Éireann and 60 members in the Seanad.
• Teachtaí Dála (members of the Dáil Éireann) are directly elected by citizens, through proportional representation, and serve five-year terms, though the President can dissolve the Dáil Éireann (when advised to do so by the Taoiseach) and call for earlier elections.
• Senators (members of the Seanad) also serve five-year terms. They are not directly elected by citizens. Instead, the Seanad is made up of members elected by special panels, universities, and members nominated by the Taoiseach.
• Each individual in Ireland is represented by between three and five Teachtaí Dála in the Dáil Éireann based on their constituency. Constituencies, and the number of TDs per constituency, are determined by population.
• When it comes to advocacy, leaders are primarily interested in hearing from their own constituents, the people living in their respective constituencies.
• If you send an advocacy email to a leader who does not represent where you live, it may be ignored or redirected to your own leader.
• To effectively engage with your leaders, it is crucial to direct your advocacy efforts towards the leaders who represent your constituency.