Constitution of Ireland | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Original title | Bunreacht na hÉireann |
Jurisdiction | Republic of Ireland |
Ratified | 1 July 1937 |
Date effective | 29 December 1937 |
System | Unitary parliamentary republic |
Government structure | |
Branches | |
Head of state | President of Ireland |
Chambers | Bicameral (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann) |
Executive | Government of Ireland |
Judiciary | |
History | |
Amendments | 32 |
Last amended | 11 June 2019 |
Citation | Constitution of Ireland |
Supersedes | Constitution of the Irish Free State |
Full text | |
Constitution of Ireland (consolidated text) at Wikisource |
The Constitution of Ireland (Irish: Bunreacht na hÉireann, pronounced [ˈbˠʊnˠɾˠəxt̪ˠ n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ]) is the fundamental law of Ireland. It asserts the national sovereignty of the Irish people. It guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected non-executive president, a bicameral parliament, a separation of powers and judicial review.
It is the second constitution of the Irish state since independence, replacing the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State.[1] It came into force on 29 December 1937 following a statewide plebiscite held on 1 July 1937. The Constitution may be amended solely by a national referendum.[2] It is the longest continually operating republican constitution within the European Union.[3]