INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Fine Gael Information Resource for Primary School students.
Our aim is to give Primary School students a better understanding of politics.
We want to inform students of the importance of politics in their everyday lives.
Fine Gael actively encourages young people to become involved in the decisions that shape their lives.
Our party has an organisation especially for young people, called Young Fine Gael.
The following sections explain the Irish political system in an easily accessible step-by-step manner, and demonstrate to young people why politics is important.
Various Class Activities are suggested at the end of each section, making learning about politics easier and more fun.
Important political terms are highlighted throughout.
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SECTION 1
What is politics?
The word "politics" describes the way decisions are made about running a country or area.
These decisions are made by politicians.
Politics covers almost every area of life you can imagine.
Many of the decisions made by politicians affect the lives of young people.
This is why it is important to be aware of politics and to remain interested in what politicians do.
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Class Activities for Section 1
SECTION 2
Politics in Ireland
The Constitution:
A Constitution is a book in which the basic laws of a country are written down.
Ireland's Constitution is called Bunreacht na hÉireann, which means "basic law of Ireland". Bunreacht na Éireann tells us how the political system in Ireland should operate.
It also tells us that all Irish people have certain rights, and lists the rights to which we are all entitled.
For example, all Irish people have the right to freedom of speech, and the right to privacy.
Bunreacht na Éireann tells us that the political system in Ireland is based on democracy.
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Class Activities for Section 2
SECTION 3
The Oireachtas
Politicians are basically elected to run the country for the people who elected them.
In Section 1, we saw some of the things with which politicians deal, for example education, finances and public transport. One of the most important areas covered by politics, however, is law-making.
According to Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Oireachtas has the power of making laws in Ireland. The Oireachtas is the Irish Parliament. It is made up of:
1. The President of Ireland
2. Dáil Éireann
3. Seanad Éireann
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Class Activities for Section 3
SECTION 4
The Government
After a General Election is held, a Government must be formed. The job of the Government is to lead the Dáil and run the country.
Bunreacht na hÉireann tells us that the Government's Cabinet should be made up of between seven and fifteen members. The Cabinet runs the Government.
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Class Activities for Section 4