Dáil Éireann

Information

Dáil Éireann is one of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Ireland's national parliament). Dáil Éireann is located in Dublin.

The Dáil consists of members of the Dáil or TDs - Teachta Dála. TDs are elected directly to the Dáil by the people of Ireland in a general election. If a vacancy occurs at the Dáil, the seat will be filled by a by-election. A list of TDs, grouped alphabetically by name including their postal addresses or TDs grouped by constituency is available. There is also a list of TDs' websites.

The Constitution states that the number of TDs cannot be more than one for every 20,000 of the population and cannot be less than one for every 30,000. There are now 166 TDs, which means that there is approximately one TD for every 23,000 people.

The country is divided into 42 constituencies and every constituency must elect at least three members to the Dáil. As far as possible, the ratio of population to TD must be equal in each constituency.

The constituencies must be revised at least once every 12 years, although in practice they are revised after the census is published every five years.

TDs represent and work on behalf of the electors in their constituency.

The maximum life of the Dáil is 5 years, although at any time the Taoiseach may advise the President to dissolve the Dáil.

View information on the weekly schedule in the Houses of the Oireachtas here.

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