Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our Constitution declares that the Government of our Republic is a matter for the Oireachtas, which consists of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and Uachtarán na hÉireann. I do not claim to be a constitutional expert, but there is a clear delineation of powers and responsibilities between these three components. To put it in layman's terms, ours is first and foremost a parliamentary democracy and political power resides in Leinster House. The Government of the day is responsible for drawing up a budget and implementing its programme in a manner that best benefits the entire community. The Government is held to account by the Opposition and has to answer to the people at regular intervals of not more than five years. The Constitution provides a far more limited role for the President. Many presidential powers may only be exercised on the advice of Government. The President has functions in the summoning or dissolving the Dáil, signing legislation into law, appointing judges or referring Bills to the Supreme Court. The President also acts as supreme commander of the Defence Forces.