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In collaboration with Deaf interpreting students from the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College Dublin, and others, we created a new Irish Sign Language glossary of parliamentary terms.
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Prime Minister
Definition: The head of government in a parliamentary system. They lead the executive branch and manage the day-to-day operations of the country.
Priority Questions
Definition: Priority Questions are questions put formally to a minister about a matter they are responsible for by a TD. Questions can be asked orally or in writing. Priority questions are used to seek information or to press for action from the government...
Private Members Bill
Definition: A Bill initiated by a TD or Senator who is not a member of the Government.
Quorum
Definition: A quorum of 20 Members is required to begin a Dáil sitting, except on a Friday sitting when the quorum is 10.
Referendum
Definition: A vote by the electorate, usually on a single issue such as a change to the Constitution or a European treaty.
Regulation
Definition: Rules or laws that control how certain activities or industries operate, often set by government agencies.
Right Wing
Definition: Political beliefs that favour limited government intervention, traditional values, and free-market capitalism.
Seal of Office
Definition: An official stamp that represents the authority and approval of the Irish government or President. For example, when someone is appointed as a Minister, they are presented with a Seal of Office by the President to make their appointment officia...
Seat (TD’s)
Definition: In the Houses of the Oireachtas, a "seat" refers to a specific place where a TD sits when the Dáil is in session. The TD sitting in that seat is there to represent the people who live in their constituency.
Secret Ballot
Definition: A voting method where each person's vote is kept private, so nobody knows how an individual voted.
Secretariat
Definition: The administrative support or office that assists and coordinates the work of an organisation or group.
Select Committee
Definition: A select committee includes members from either the Dáil or the Seanad, but not both.
Solidarity
Definition: Unity and support among a group of people who share common goals or interests, often used in social and political contexts.
Special Committee
Definition: A Special committee is established for the sole purpose of considering a specific matter usually for a specified time after which it must report back to the Houses(s).
Stakeholders
Definition: Any person or organisation that has a legitimate interest in a specific project or policy decision.
Standing Committee
Definition: A permanent committee required by standing orders of either House to be established after a general election.
Statutory Instrument (SI)
Definition: A form of delegated or “secondary” legislation, such as ministerial orders and regulations.
Submissions
Definition: Information relevant to an inquiry. Submissions inform members about an individual, organisation, or community about an issue.
Teachta Dala, TD
Definition: Elected members to the Dáil. Directly translates into English as Deputy to the Dáil.
Terms of Reference
Definition: This is like a set of rules or guidelines that explain the scope and purpose of a particular project or investigation conducted by the Oireachtas. It helps outline what needs to be done and what the goals are.
Topical Issue
Definition: An issue of concern which a TD raises in the Dáil and to which a Minister responds: time is allocated on each Dáil sitting day to take up to four topical issues.
Trade Deal
Definition: A trade deal is an agreement between countries, including Ireland, that outlines how they will buy and sell goods and services with each other. It usually includes rules about tariffs (taxes on imports and exports), trade regulations, and other...
Unconstitutional
Definition: This means something goes against the rules and principles set out in the Irish constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, the rules of the country. If something is deemed unconstitutional, it cannot be legally enforced.
Withdrawal Agreement
Definition: This is an agreement between the UK and the European Union (EU) that outlines the terms of the UK's departure from the EU.
