CSPE Fact Sheet

Note: What follows below is a list of questions, largely based around the past Junior Cert

papers. That’s why certain sections of the course get a great deal more coverage than

others – they suit exam questions better. It is NOT a complete list of every topic on the

CSPE course, and please don’t think that just because you know everything listed here

that you’re guaranteed to know every question that comes up. Keep watching the news,

and keep aware of events in the various areas on the course.

The Seven Key Concepts

CSPE is based on seven concepts. These are?

Rights & Responsibilities

Every human being is entitled to basic rights, but we also have a responsibility to others, and there is a

constant need to safeguard peoples’ rights.

Topics: Children’s rights, prisoners of conscience, torture

Human Dignity

Every human being has the right to live their lives with dignity and to be treated with respect.

Topics: Homelessness, bullying, refugees

Stewardship

Caring responsibly for our environment and the planet on which we live

Topics: Recycling, global warming, the ozone layer

Development

Improvements taking place in local, national or international communities

Topics: Tackling poverty in Africa, Third World Debt problems, regional development in Ireland

Democracy

Citizens voting to elect people to represent them in government

Topics: Elections, Dail Eireann, Local Government

Law

The rules and laws necessary to protect citizens. How laws are made, upheld, and the consequences of

breaking the law.

Topics: An Garda Siochana, the courts system, the prison system

Interdependence

The way in which we are connected with others in the world

Topics: The European Union, the United Nations, Fair Trade

Rights & Responsibilities

U.D.H.R. stands for? Universal Declaration of Human Rights

What does Asylum mean? The right to a safe place to live

What does Freedom of Assembly mean? The right to meet up

International

E.U. stands for? European Union

NEXT ELECTIONS ARE MAY 2014

There are 28 countries in the European Union: Croatia is the newest member.

Within the European Union there are three law-making groups. There are?

The European Parliament

The European Commission

The Council of Ministers

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:

The European Parliament meets in which two cities? Brussels and Strasbourg

M.E.P. stands for? Member of the European Parliament

How many Irish MEPs are there? There are currently 12.

From 2014 it will be reduced to 11 to facilitate Croatia

entering EU.

There are 754 MEPs elected to the? European Parliament

Name 2 Irish MEPs? Mairead McGuinness, Liam Aylward, Brian Crowley

Who is the President of the European Parliament? Martin Schulz, Germany

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION:

How are members of the European Commission chosen? There are 28 members of the

European Commission – one from each country. Each

member is appointed by the govt of their own country.

Who is the President of the European Commission? Jose Manuel Barroso, Portugal

Who is the Irish European Commissioner? Maire Geoghegan Quinn

We celebrate being members of the EU on the 9th

May every year. This is known as? Europe Day

Why do we celebrate Europe Day on the 9th

May every year? To celebrate that Ireland is a

member of the EU

In the EU, where are legal cases about human rights heard? The European Court of Human Rights

E.C.H.R. stands for? The European Court of Human Rights

I.M.F. stands for? The International Monetary Fund

Why was the IMF in Ireland last year? To lend money to (“bail out”) the Government which

didn’t have enough funds to run the country

The U.N. stands for? United Nations

The Secretary General of the United Nations is? Ban Ki-Moon

Where are the United Nations Headquarters? New York

How can the Irish Army become involved in international conflicts? Through United Nations

Peacekeeping operations

The US President is? Barack Obama

Where does the US President live? The White House, Washington DC

Where does the Queen of England live? Buckingham Palace

Who is the British Prime Minister? David Cameron (Conservative Party)

Where does the British Prime Minister live? 10 Downing Street

Which country joined the Euro in 2013? Croatia

How many countries are in the European Union? 28

How many countries are in the Euro? 22

28 Members of the European Union 18 Members of the Euro

Austria Austria

Belgium Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia Estonia

Finland Finland

France France

Germany Germany

Greece Greece

Hungary

Ireland Ireland

Italy Italy

Latvia Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg Luxembourg

Malta Malta

Netherlands Netherlands

Poland

Portugal Portugal

Romania

Slovakia Slovakia

Slovenia Slovenia

Spain Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

Law

The chief law officer of the Irish State is known as? The Attorney General

The Childrens’ Court deals with? Offences committed by young people under the age of 16

The District Court deals with? Civil and criminal cases at a local level. There are 23 such

courts around the country

The Circuit Court deals with? More serious civil and criminal matters. There are 8 of such

courts around the country

The Special Criminal Court deals with? Very serious criminal offences. There is no jury in this

court

The Court of Criminal Appeal deals with? Appeals from convicted persons who believe they

haven’t received justice when their case was tried in a

lower court

The High Court deals with? Appeals from lower courts and some Constitutional cases

The Supreme Court deals with? Cases about the Constitution and appeals from the High

Court

The highest court in Ireland is known as the? Supreme Court

The second highest court in Ireland is known as the? High Court

The lowest court in Ireland is known as the? District Court

Criminal law involves? Serious breaches of the law, such as assault, robbery, rape and

murder

Civil law involves? Disputes between private individuals (eg. compensation claims,

contract law)

What is the name of the lawyer who brings a criminal case to court? The Director of Public

Prosecutions

The Irish Constitution is known as? Bunreacht na hEireann

Bunreacht na hEireann is? The name of the Irish Constitution

In Ireland, a law (which is also called a “Bill”) passed by the Oireachtas is called? An Act

In Bunreacht na hEireann the numbered points are called? Articles

A referendum is needed if the Govt wants to change? The Constitution

If the Govt wants to change the Constitution it needs to hold? A referendum

While an arrested person is awaiting trial, the judge may allow them stay at home, rather than in jail.

This is known as? Bail

Politics

The voting system in Ireland is known as? Proportional Representation

P.R. stands for? Proportional Representation

What two letters sum up the voting system in Ireland? P.R.

How often must a General Election must be held in Ireland? Every five years

How often must a Presidential Election be held in Ireland? Every seven years

How many terms can an Irish President serve? Two (ie. 2 x 7 years = 14 years)

How old do you have to be to have a vote in Ireland or European elections? 18

How old do you have to be to be elected as a TD? 21

How old do you have to be to be elected President of Ireland? 35

The place where votes are cast in an election is called a? Polling Station

The slip of paper filled in by a voter is called a? Ballot Paper

Someone who stands in an election is known as a? Candidate

The person who announces the election results? Returning Officer

In an election, what is a “quota”? The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate

The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate is called? A quota

What is a spoiled vote? A vote that cannot be counted

A vote that cannot be counted is known as a? Spoiled vote

What does T.D. stand for? Teachta Dala

What is a T.D./Teachta Dala? Someone who is elected to represent their constituency in Dail

Eireann

What is an elected member of a local authority known as? A councillor (eg. a county

councillor)

What is a constituency? An electoral area – eg. Wicklow is one constituency and has 5 TDs

What is a General Election? When people across in the country vote to elect TD’s in every

constituency, thereby forming a new Dail and new

government

What is a By-Election? When people in one constituency vote to elect a TD to replace

someone who has resigned or died.

What is a Local Election? When people in a local area vote to elect their local county council or

town council

To have a vote in Ireland, a person’s name must appear on? The Register of Electors

The Irish Prime Minister is called? The Taoiseach/An Taoiseach

An Taoiseach is? The Irish Prime Minister

The Deputy Prime Minister (second-in-command) is called? The Tanaiste/An Tanaiste

The name of the President of Ireland is? Michael D. Higgins

The person who keeps order during debates in Dail Eireann is called the? Ceann Comhairle

What is the national symbol of Ireland that appears on all Govt letters and envelopes? Harp

In Ireland, which Govt department is responsible for voting and elections? The Dept of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government

What are the names of the two houses of the Oireachtas? Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann

The Irish Parliament is called? Dail Eireann

Dail Eireann is? The Irish Parliament

The other “house” in the Irish Parliament is called? Seanad Eireann

Seanad Eireann is? The Irish senate - The “upper house” in the Irish Parliament

Where do Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann meet? Leinster House

Where does the government work? Government Buildings

How many Dail Constituencies are there at the moment? 43

Where does the Irish President live? Aras an Uachtarain

Aras an Uachtarain is? The home of the Irish President in Phoenix Park, Dublin

Political Parties and their Current Leaders Fianna Fail Michael Martin

Green Party Eamon Ryan

Fine Gael Enda Kenny

Labour Party Eamon Gilmore

Sinn Fein Gerry Adams

16 Independent TDs joined together to form a “technical group” so they can speak in the Dail. Some

of these include Joe Higgins, Shane Ross and Stephen Donnelly.

Important Organisations Amnesty International Draws attention to human rights abuses in different countries – eg. people

who are facing the death penalty, being tortured, child labour, prisoners of

conscience, etc

Age Action Ireland Looks after the rights of older people

Focus Ireland Looks after homeless people

Simon Community Looks after the needs of homeless people in Ireland

St Vincent de Paul Helps poor people and those who are struggling to afford to live

Aware Helps those who are suffering from depression

Combat Poverty Agency Helps poor people

Irish Refugee Council Looks after asylum seekers and refugees

Pavee Point Helps the travelling community

Comhairle na nOg Youth councils which allow young people the chance to have a say on

matters that affect them

Dail na nOg he annual national parliament for young people aged between 12-18

years. Delegates are elected to Dáil na nÓg through their local

Comhairle na nÓg

Ombudsman for Children An independent organisation that represents children’s rights in Ireland.

The Ombudsman’s name is Emily Logan

National Youth Council of Ireland represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth

organisations and acts on issues that impact on young people

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) Protects children’s rights

Irish Wheelchair Association Helps people with disabilities

Trocaire Helps people and communities in the developing world

Goal Helps people and communities in the developing world

Concern Helps people and communities in the developing world

FAS Provides training and employment schemes

UNICEF = United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Look after

children’s rights throughout the world

An Taisce Campaigns for a better environment

Residents’ Association Looks after the interests of people who live in a particular area

Neighbourhood Watch/Community Alert Encourages people to report suspicious activity

Meals on Wheels Brings meals to elderly people in their homes

Government Departments - there are 15 in total Dept of the Taoiseach Taoiseach: Enda Kenny

Dept of Education & Skills Minister: Ruairi Quinn

Dept of Finance Responsible for the administration of public finance, including, the collection

and expenditure of the revenues.

Minsiter: Michael Noonan

Dept of Public Expenditure In charge of managing spending on public services.

and Reform Minister: Brendan Howlin

Dept of Foreign Affairs Deals with our political and trading relations with other countries

& Trade Minister: Eamon Gilmore

Dept of Justice, Equality Deals with enforcement of law and order, ensuring everyone treated equally and

Defence under the law, preserving peace and security.

Minister: Alan Shatter

Dept of Health & Children Minister: Dr. James Reilly

Dept of Jobs, Enterprise, Encourages industry and employment

& Innovation Minister: Richard Bruton

Dept of Communications, Responsibility for telecommunications (broadcasting, broadband) and

& Natural Resources energy (electricity, gas)

Minister: Pat Rabitte

Dept of Agriculture, Food Responsible for the promotion and development of agriculture,

& the Marine food and marine development in Ireland

Minister: Simon Coveney

Dept of Environment Oversees local government and environmental issues.

Community and Local Govt. Minister: Phil Hogan

Dept of Transport, Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar

and Sport

Dept of Social Protection In charge of social welfare and benefits.

Minister: Joan Burton

Dept of Children and Youth Looks after the needs of children across all departments.

Affairs Minister: Frances Fitzgerald

Dept of Arts, Heritage and Protects and promotes Ireland culture and language.

The Gaeltacht. Minister: Jimmy Deenihan

Photo Call! The first question on the exam usually involves photos

1. President & Party Leaders

Michael D Higgins, President

Enda Kenny, Fine Gael

Eamon Gilmore, Labour Party

Michael Martin, Fianna Fail

Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein

Test Yourself Put the name and party beside each politician

2. International Figures

Ban Ki Moon (UN Secretary General)

Jose Manuel Barroso (President, EU Commission)

Aung San Suu Kyi (Burnam Human Rights campaigner)

’ Nelson Mandela (former South African President

and Human Rights activist)

Barack Obama (US President)

David Cameron (British Prime Minister)

Angela Merkel (German Chancellor)

Francois Hollande, President of France

Vladimir Putin (Russian Prime Minister)

Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland First Minister), Democratic Unionist

Party

Martin McGuinness (Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister), Sinn Fein

Mary Robinson (former Irish President and UN Human Rights

campaigner)

3. Other Important People

Adi Roche (Chernobyl Children’s Fund)

Bono (Third World Debt campaigner)

Martin Luther King, Jr (Human Rights activist in 1960’s USA)

Emily Logan (National Ombudsman for Children)

Maire Geoghegan Quinn (Irish EU Commissioner)

Sean Barrett (Dail Ceann Comhairle)

4. Important Buildings

Leinster House – home of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann

Government Buildings, Dublin

The White House (note, the Oval Office is on the other side)

10 Downing Street (home of British Prime Minister)

Buckingham Palace

The Four Courts

The European Parliament Building, Brussels

The European Parliament Building, Strasbourg

The United Nations Building, New York

Aras an Uachtarain (v like White House, but flatter and wider)

The new Criminal Courts of Justice complex, Dublin

Dail Eireann

5. So you think you know your photos? Have a go at naming the photos below…