Dáil Éireann Assembly of Ireland |
|
---|---|
32nd Dáil | |
Type | |
Type |
Lower house of the Oireachtas
|
Leadership | |
Enda Kenny (FG)
|
|
Structure | |
Seats | 158 |
Political groups
|
Government (57)
Other opposition (56)
|
Elections | |
Single transferable vote | |
Last election
|
26 February 2016 |
Next election
|
No later than 12 April 2021 |
Meeting place | |
Dáil chamber Leinster House, Dublin |
|
Website | |
www |
Government (57)
Other opposition (56)
Dáil Éireann (/dɔɪl ˈɛərən/, dawl aer-ahn; lit. Assembly of Ireland) is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas (Irish legislature), which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann (the upper house). It is directly elected at least once every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (STV). Its powers are similar to those of lower houses under many other bicameral parliamentary systems and it is by far the dominant branch of the Oireachtas. Subject to the limits imposed by the Constitution of Ireland, it has power to pass any law it wishes, and to nominate and remove the Taoiseach (head of government). Since 1922, it has met in Leinster House in Dublin.