With all this talk about the presidential election, you might be wondering, once someone actually gets elected, what do they do? Is it similar to the taoiseach?
Not quite. But, the president has a lot of powers and functions, outlined in the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann).
Some are symbolic, some are legal, and there are a few that have never even been used.
Let’s break them down.
Representation
The president is Ireland’s head of state. This means they represent the people of Ireland both at home and around the world.
In Ireland, the president gives speeches, attends public engagements, visits communities and meets people at Áras an Uachtaráin, (that’s the official home of the president, in Phoenix Park, Dublin).
When other heads of state visit the Republic, the president receives them. The president also formally receives new ambassadors who come to the State, which means the ambassadors officially present their credentials to the pres
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