A Department of State (Irish: Roinn Stáit) of Ireland is a department or ministry of the Government of Ireland. The head of such a department is a minister termed a Minister of the Government; prior to 1977 such ministers were called Ministers of State, a term now used for junior (non-cabinet) ministers. Most members of the government are Ministers of the Government, though there may occasionally be a minister without portfolio who does not head a department of state. The law regarding the departments of state and ministers of the government is based in the Constitution of Ireland, primarily in Article 28; legislative detail is given in the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2020.
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👉 Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Government of Ireland
The Government of Ireland (Irish: Rialtas na hÉireann) is the executive authority of Ireland, headed by the Taoiseach, the head of government. The government – also known as the cabinet – is composed of ministers, each of whom must be a member of the Oireachtas, which consists of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. Ministers are usually assigned a government department with a portfolio covering specific policy areas although provision exists for the appointment of a minister without portfolio.
The taoiseach must be nominated by the Dáil, the House of Representatives, from among its members. Following the nomination of the Dáil, the president of Ireland formally appoints the taoiseach. The president also appoints members of the government on the nomination of the taoiseach and their approval by the Dáil. The taoiseach nominates one member of the government as tánaiste, the deputy head of government. Like the taoiseach, the tánaiste and the minister for finance must be members of the Dáil.
In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Department of State (Ireland)
- 👉 Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Government of Ireland
- Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Minister of State (Ireland)
- Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Ministers and Secretaries Acts
- Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Finance (Ireland)
- Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)
- Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Defence (Ireland)
Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Minister of State (Ireland)
A minister of state (Irish: Aire Stáit) in Ireland (often called a junior minister, aire sóisearach) is a minister of non-cabinet rank attached to one or more Departments of State of the Government of Ireland and assists the Minister of the Government responsible for that department. The government may appoint up to 23 ministers of state.
Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Ministers and Secretaries Acts
The Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2020 is the legislation which governs the appointment of ministers to the Government of Ireland and the allocation of functions between departments of state. It is subject in particular to the provisions of Article 28 of the Constitution of Ireland. The Acts allow for the appointment of between 7 and 15 Ministers of Government across 17 Departments, and for the appointment of up to 20 junior ministers, titled Ministers of State, to assist the Ministers of Government in their powers and duties.
The principal act is the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 and was one of the key statutes enacted by the Irish Free State. The Constitution of the Irish Free State in 1922 had provided for the formation of a cabinet called the Executive Council. The 1924 Act formally defined the government departments that were to exist in the Free State, created their titles and outlined their responsibilities. The Act has been amended and affected by subsequent legislation which may be cited together and construed as one Act. The names and functions of departments have changed frequently by secondary legislation. Although the secretaries created by the 1924 Act were later replaced by ministers of state, as amendments to the principal Act, subsequent legislation changing the structures of government departments have continued to use the title Ministers and Secretaries Act.
Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Finance (Ireland)
The Department of Finance (Irish: An Roinn Airgeadais) is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Finance.
The Department of Finance is responsible for the administration of the public finances of Ireland and all powers, duties and functions connected with the same, including in particular, the collection and expenditure of the revenues of Ireland from whatever source arising.
Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) (Irish: An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála) is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for promoting the interests of Ireland in the European Union and the wider world. The head of the department is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Department of State (Ireland) in the context of Department of Defence (Ireland)
The Department of Defence (Irish: An Roinn Cosanta) is the department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for preserving peace and security in Ireland, and administers the Irish Defence Forces. The department is led by the Minister for Defence.