Master Irish Government and Politics: Quizzes and Study Guide

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT among the powers granted to the Irish government under the constitution?

Accepted Answer

Regulating and overseeing religious institutions

Answer

Managing foreign affairs and representing Ireland internationally

Answer

Ensuring national defense and security

Answer

Providing education and healthcare services

Question 2

What is the name of the ongoing political conflict in Northern Ireland, which has its roots in historical tensions between different communities?

Accepted Answer

The Troubles

Answer

The Irish Civil War

Answer

The War of Independence

Answer

The Potato Famine

Question 3

Which electoral system is used in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Preferential voting

Question 4

Which of the following is a key provision of the Good Friday Agreement?

Accepted Answer

The creation of a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland

Answer

The devolution of power to the Scottish Parliament

Answer

The end of the Troubles

Answer

The unification of Ireland

Question 5

What is the function of the Council of State in Irish politics?

Accepted Answer

To advise the President on constitutional matters

Answer

To draft legislation

Answer

To oversee the work of the government

Answer

To appoint judges

Question 6

The Government of Ireland Act (1937) established a system of what type of government?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary

Answer

Federal

Answer

Unitary

Answer

Confederal

Question 7

Which political party has held the most seats in the Dáil since 1932?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 8

Which chamber of the Oireachtas is considered the upper house?

Accepted Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Bunreacht na hÉireann

Answer

Ard-Aighne

Question 9

In what year was the Good Friday Agreement signed?

Accepted Answer

1998

Answer

1996

Answer

1997

Answer

1999

Question 10

Who is the head of government in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Tánaiste

Answer

Chief Justice

Question 11

Which body is responsible for passing laws in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

Cabinet

Answer

Supreme Court

Question 12

What is the main electoral system used in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Mixed-member proportional

Question 13

What is the name of the highest court in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

High Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

Special Criminal Court

Question 14

What is the primary role of the President of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Ceremonial head of state

Answer

Head of government

Answer

Commander-in-chief of the armed forces

Answer

Leader of the opposition

Question 15

What distinctive principle sets the Irish Constitution apart from others globally?

Accepted Answer

Recognition of the Holy Trinity

Answer

Sovereignty of the people

Answer

Separation of powers

Question 16

Which of the following is the upper house of the Irish parliament, also known as the Senate of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Houses of the Oireachtas

Answer

The Assembly

Question 17

Who is the head of government in Ireland, serving as the Prime Minister and First Minister?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Chancellor

Question 18

Which political party, founded in 1926, has been the most dominant in Irish politics since independence, holding the office of Taoiseach for the majority of the time?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 19

In the Irish elections, which system of proportional representation is used, ensuring that the composition of the parliament reflects the overall distribution of votes?

Accepted Answer

Single Transferable Vote

Answer

First Past the Post

Answer

Mixed Member Proportional

Answer

Alternative Vote

Question 20

The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, played a pivotal role in Irish politics. What was the primary significance of this agreement?

Accepted Answer

It ended the conflict in Northern Ireland

Answer

It established the Irish Free State

Answer

It introduced a new constitution for Ireland

Answer

It created the European Union

Question 21

The Irish Supreme Court holds a significant position within the Irish legal system. What is the primary role of the Irish Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting the constitution and determining its meaning

Answer

Overturning government decisions

Answer

Appointing judges

Answer

Enacting new laws

Question 22

Who is the head of government in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Tánaiste

Answer

Chief Justice

Question 23

The head of government in Ireland is the:

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Tánaiste

Question 24

What is the name of the lower house of the Irish parliament?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

House of Commons

Answer

House of Lords

Question 25

As per the Constitution of Ireland, what is the primary role of the President of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Head of state and commander-in-chief

Answer

Head of government

Answer

Speaker of the Dáil

Answer

Leader of the opposition

Question 26

How is the Irish government typically formed?

Accepted Answer

A coalition government is formed by multiple parties holding a majority of seats in the Dáil.

Answer

Following elections, the President appoints the Taoiseach with the approval of the Dáil.

Answer

The party with the highest number of seats in the Dáil automatically forms the government.

Answer

The government is formed by an alliance between the President and the party with the second-highest number of seats in the Dáil.

Question 27

Which of the following best describes a defining characteristic of the Irish political system?

Accepted Answer

Consociationalism

Answer

Bipartisanship

Answer

Majoritarianism

Answer

Presidentialism

Question 28

What is the primary responsibility of the Attorney General in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Serving as the government's chief legal advisor

Answer

Leading the judiciary

Answer

Leading the opposition

Answer

Presiding over the Seanad

Question 29

Who is the official head of state in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

The President

Answer

The Prime Minister

Answer

The Speaker of the Dáil

Answer

The Chief Justice

Question 30

Which characteristic best describes the Irish government?

Accepted Answer

Parliamentary democracy

Answer

Unitary state

Answer

Presidential republic

Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Question 31

What is the name of the primary legislative body within the Irish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Senate

Answer

House of Commons

Answer

Legislative Assembly

Question 32

Which of the following is not a function of the President of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Presiding over cabinet meetings

Answer

Appointing the Taoiseach (Prime Minister)

Answer

Summoning and dissolving the Dáil (Parliament)

Answer

Granting pardons for criminal offenses

Question 33

Which party has historically held the most seats in the Dáil?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 34

What is the name of the lower house of the Irish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

House of Commons

Answer

House of Lords

Question 35

What is the official title for the head of government in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Chancellor

Question 36

Which political party has traditionally been the dominant force in Irish politics?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 37

Describe the sequence of stages a bill must pass through to become law in Ireland:

Accepted Answer

Introduction in Dáil Éireann, Committee Stage, Second Reading, Third Reading, Seanad Approval, Presidential Signature

Answer

Introduction in Dáil Éireann, Committee Stage, Third Reading, Second Reading, Seanad Approval, Presidential Signature

Answer

Introduction in Seanad Éireann, Committee Stage, Second Reading, Third Reading, Dáil Approval, Presidential Signature

Answer

Introduction in Seanad Éireann, Committee Stage, Third Reading, Second Reading, Dáil Approval, Presidential Signature

Question 38

Which body has the primary responsibility for approving the Irish budget?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

President

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

A joint sitting of the Dáil and Seanad

Question 39

What is the primary role of the Attorney General in the Irish government?

Accepted Answer

Chief legal advisor to the government

Answer

Minister for Justice

Answer

Prosecutor in criminal cases

Answer

Defender of citizens' rights

Question 40

According to the Irish Constitution, who possesses the authority to appoint judges?

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

Minister for Justice

Answer

Parliament

Question 41

Who is the chief executive of the Irish government?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President of Ireland

Answer

Minister for Finance

Answer

Chief Justice of Ireland

Question 42

What is the name of the Irish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Oireachtas Éireann

Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

House of Commons

Question 43

Which fundamental principle underpins the Good Friday Agreement?

Accepted Answer

Power-sharing between Unionists and Nationalists

Answer

Withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland

Answer

Recognition of Irish unity

Answer

Partition of Ireland

Question 44

What is the primary function of the President of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Head of state and Commander-in-Chief

Answer

Head of government

Answer

Speaker of the Dáil

Answer

Leader of the largest political party

Question 45

Which of the following is not a prominent political party in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Conservative Party

Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 46

What system of proportional representation is employed in Irish elections?

Accepted Answer

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

Answer

First Past the Post (FPTP)

Answer

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)

Answer

Parallel Voting

Question 47

How does the Irish Supreme Court differ from the courts of the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

It has the power of judicial review

Answer

It is not bound by precedent

Answer

It has a larger number of judges

Answer

It is not a court of last resort

Question 48

Which of the following is the highest court in Ireland's judicial system?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

High Court

Answer

Circuit Court

Answer

District Court

Question 49

Who holds the position of head of government in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Taoiseach

Answer

President

Answer

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Answer

Minister for Finance

Question 50

What is the name of the lower house of the Irish parliament, where most legislative power is concentrated?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

House of Representatives

Answer

Senate

Question 51

What is the name of the proportional representation system employed in Ireland's elections?

Accepted Answer

Single Transferable Vote

Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Preferential voting

Answer

Alternative vote

Question 52

Who currently holds the office of President of Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Michael D. Higgins

Answer

Leo Varadkar

Answer

Micheál Martin

Answer

Simon Coveney

Question 53

Which political party has held power in Ireland for the most extended period since the country gained independence?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Sinn Féin

Question 54

What is the primary function of the Council of State in the context of Irish politics?

Accepted Answer

To advise the President on matters of national importance

Answer

To oversee the actions of the government

Answer

To make laws

Answer

To interpret the Irish constitution

Question 55

What is the official name of the lower house of the Irish parliament where members are directly elected by citizens?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland)

Answer

Seanad Éireann (Senate of Ireland)

Answer

Ard-Fheis (Great Assembly)

Answer

Comhairle na nÓg (Youth Council)

Question 56

What was the primary significance of the Good Friday Agreement?

Accepted Answer

It brought an end to the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland

Answer

It established the European Monetary Union (EMU)

Answer

It introduced a new tax system in Ireland

Answer

It replaced the Irish Constitution with a new constitution

Question 57

Which judicial body is the highest court in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

High Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

District Court

Question 58

What is the name of the lower house of the Irish parliament?

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann

Answer

Council of State

Answer

Cabinet

Question 59

What is the name of the electoral system employed in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Ranked choice voting

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a function of the Irish Cabinet?

Accepted Answer

Overseeing the judiciary

Answer

Formulating government policies

Answer

Proposing legislation

Answer

Administering government departments

Question 61

Select the key feature of the Irish political system:

Accepted Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Majoritarian electoral system

Answer

Single-member constituencies

Question 62

Who holds the position of head of government in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Prime Minister (Taoiseach)

Answer

President

Answer

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Question 63

Identify the lower house of the Irish parliament:

Accepted Answer

Dáil Éireann

Answer

Seanad Éireann (Senate)

Answer

House of Commons

Question 64

Which political party has been dominant in Irish politics since the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Fianna Fáil

Answer

Fine Gael

Answer

Labour Party