Dáil Éireann

Lower house of the legislature of the Republic of Ireland (Oireachtas). It consists of 166 members elected by adult suffrage through the single transferable vote system of proportional representation from 41 constituencies for a five-year term.

A Dáil Éireann is provided for in the constitution of Ireland (operating from 29 December 1937), in succession to the constitution of the Irish Free State (Saorstat Éireann), which had operated from 6 December 1922 and had provided for a Dáil Éireann (originated in January 1919).

Legislation dealing with finance may be initiated in the Dáil only and, on being passed by the Dáil, is sent to Seanad Éireann for its recommendations, which may be accepted or rejected by the Dáil.

The government is customarily chosen from the majority party (or parties) in the Dáil and is responsible to that house. The Taoiseach (prime minister), the Tánaiste (deputy prime minister), and the minister for finance must be members of the Dáil; other government members must be members of the Dáil or Seanad Éireann, not more than two being members of Seanad Éireann. The president of Ireland summons and dissolves the Dáil on the advice of the Taoiseach, who is appointed by the president on the nomination of the Dáil.

Election is by proportional representation and the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1973; the first election affected was 1977. Members must be over 21.