What the courses ask you to do
A strong essay can ask both whether PR-STV gives voters useful choice and how post-election coalition bargaining affects who governs.
Instead of
“Ireland is democratic because people vote.”
Try
“PR-STV gives voters ranked candidate choices across multi-seat constituencies; ask whether this improves representation and what coalition bargaining changes afterward.”
It names a specific Irish institution and weighs both an effect and a trade-off.
Try it with DexInstead of
“The Dáil keeps the Government accountable.”
Try
“Ministers answer questions and committees examine policy and spending, but a stable majority can still pass most Government Bills.”
It distinguishes scrutiny from the ability to defeat Government policy.
Try it with DexInstead of
“Referendums protect the Constitution.”
Try
“Constitutional change requires a popular vote, while the wording and timing of proposals are set through the political process.”
It identifies both the safeguard and the limit.
Try it with Dex
On the course: CSPE strand 3 asks you to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the democratic process, and Leaving Cert Politics and Society expects the same judgment with evidence.
A strong answer names a real Irish rule or practice, says what it achieves, then says what it costs or leaves unfinished. Vague praise of "free elections" or "checks and balances" could describe almost any democracy. Markers want Irish detail: PR-STV, coalition formation, weekly Dáil scrutiny, the referendum lock, and the Seanad's limited delaying power.
Strengths and what limits them
Use this table as an essay skeleton. Each row pairs a genuine Irish strength with the limit that belongs to the same feature.
| Strength | What limits it |
|---|---|
| PR-STV lets voters rank candidates and often returns more than two parties to the Dáil, so more voter preferences can matter in the count. | Forming a Government then depends on negotiation between parties and Independents. After the 29 November 2024 election of the 174-member 34th Dáil, Micheál Martin was elected Taoiseach on 23 January 2025 with support from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independent TDs. The Green Party was not in that Government. |
| The Constitution can be changed only by referendum, so a Government cannot rewrite constitutional rights by ordinary Act alone. | Referendums are infrequent, and the wording of the question is set by the Oireachtas before the people vote Yes or No. |
| TDs face the Dáil every sitting week through parliamentary questions, Leaders' Questions and recorded votes, so Ministers must answer in public. | A Government that can command a Dáil majority can still pass its Bills. Scrutiny exposes decisions; it does not automatically stop them. |
| The Seanad can revise a Bill and force further debate before it becomes law. | Under Article 23, the Seanad has a stated period of 90 days. The Dáil may then, within 180 days after that period ends, resolve that the Bill is deemed passed by both Houses. The Seanad revises and delays; the Dáil keeps the final override under that Article. |
For the electoral system, start with how PR-STV works.
Then follow the coalition path in how the Irish Government is formed.
For the constitutional lock, read how Irish referendums work.
Pair that with the Irish Constitution explained.
For weekly scrutiny, see parliamentary questions.
For the Seanad stages and Article 23, see how a Bill becomes law.
Turnout as evidence
An Coimisiún Toghcháin's National Election and Democracy Study for the general election of 29 November 2024 reports official turnout at 59.7%. That figure measures how many people on the electoral register cast a ballot. It does not prove that the count was fair, that seats matched first preferences, or that the Government formed later matched every voter's first choice.
In an essay, turnout is evidence about participation. Low or falling turnout weakens the claim that the Dáil fully reflects the adult population on the register. It leaves open separate questions about ballot secrecy, constituency boundaries, and whether coalition deals after the count honour campaign promises. Keep those claims separate, each with its own evidence.
Foinseanna
- Electoral Commission: National Election and Democracy Study, General Election 2024 (official turnout reported at 59.7%)
- Constitution of Ireland: Article 23 (Seanad consideration period)
- DáilDex: How PR-STV works
- DáilDex: How the Government is formed
- DáilDex: How Irish referendums work
- DáilDex: Irish Constitution explained
- DáilDex: Parliamentary questions
- DáilDex: How a Bill becomes law