How Ireland's government works — from the Dáil and local councils to your voting rights as a resident and how to engage with public services.
2 guides in this topic
MyGovID is Ireland's unified digital identity for accessing online government services. Here's how to set it up and what you can do with it.
4 min read
Your guide to voting in Ireland — who is eligible for which elections, how to register, and how Irish elections work.
5 min read
Ireland is a parliamentary republic. The national parliament is called the Oireachtas, which consists of two houses: Dáil Éireann (the lower house, elected by citizens) and Seanad Éireann (the upper house, mostly appointed). The head of government is the Taoiseach (Prime Minister). The President of Ireland is the head of state — a largely ceremonial role with important constitutional functions.
Ireland is divided into 31 local authority areas — city councils, county councils, and borough councils. Local authorities are responsible for planning, roads, water services (through Irish Water), housing, environmental services, and local amenities. You can find your local council and report issues (potholes, litter, etc.) through the council's website or the FixMyStreet.ie platform.
Voting rights in Ireland depend on your citizenship and the type of election:
To vote, you must be on the electoral register. Register or check your registration at checktheregister.ie.
Ireland has a Freedom of Information Act that gives you the right to access records held by public bodies. You can request information from government departments, the HSE, local authorities, and many other public bodies. Requests are made directly to the relevant body and are generally free for personal records.
If you have a complaint about a public body (a government department, local authority, or the HSE) that hasn't been resolved satisfactorily, you can bring it to the Office of the Ombudsman. The service is free and independent. The Ombudsman can investigate and recommend remedies.
MyGovID is Ireland's unified digital identity for accessing online government services. Here's how to set it up and what you can do with it.
Your guide to voting in Ireland — who is eligible for which elections, how to register, and how Irish elections work.