CSPE Fact Sheet. The Seven Key Concepts. Rights & Responsibilities

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1 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? What does Asylum mean? Universal Declaration of Human Rights The right to a safe place to live What does Freedom of Assembly mean? The right to meet up

2 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 9 th May every year. This is known as? Europe Day Why do we celebrate Europe Day on the 9 th 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? I.M.F. stands for? The European Court of Human Rights 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

3 The U.N. stands for? United Nations The Secretary General of the United Nations is? Where are the United Nations Headquarters? Ban Ki-Moon 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? Who is the British Prime Minister? Where does the British Prime Minister live? Which country joined the Euro in 2013? Buckingham Palace David Cameron (Conservative Party) Croatia 10 Downing Street How many countries are in the European Union? 28 How many countries are in the Euro? Members of the European Union 18 Members of the Euro Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden United Kingdom Austria Belgium Cyprus Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Latvia Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain

4 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? The Circuit Court deals with? Civil and criminal cases at a local level. There are 23 such courts around the country More serious civil and criminal matters. There are 8 of such courts around the country The Special Criminal Court deals with? The Court of Criminal Appeal deals with? Very serious criminal offences. There is no jury in this court 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? The Supreme Court deals with? Appeals from lower courts and some Constitutional cases 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? Civil law involves? Serious breaches of the law, such as assault, robbery, rape and murder 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 is? Bunreacht na heireann 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? A referendum is needed if the Govt wants to change? Articles 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

5 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? How often must a Presidential Election be held in Ireland? Every five years 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? Someone who stands in an election is known as a? The person who announces the election results? Ballot Paper Candidate 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? What is a T.D./Teachta Dala? 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? What is a General Election? What is a By-Election? An electoral area eg. Wicklow is one constituency and has 5 TDs When people across in the country vote to elect TD s in every constituency, thereby forming a new Dail and new government When people in one constituency vote to elect a TD to replace someone who has resigned or died.

6 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? Where does the government work? Leinster House 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 Green Party Fine Gael Labour Party Sinn Fein Michael Martin Eamon Ryan Enda Kenny Eamon Gilmore 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.

7 Important Organisations Amnesty International Age Action Ireland Focus Ireland Simon Community St Vincent de Paul Aware Combat Poverty Agency Irish Refugee Council Pavee Point 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 Looks after the rights of older people Looks after homeless people Looks after the needs of homeless people in Ireland Helps poor people and those who are struggling to afford to live Helps those who are suffering from depression Helps poor people Looks after asylum seekers and refugees 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 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 Trocaire Goal Concern FAS Helps people with disabilities Helps people and communities in the developing world Helps people and communities in the developing world Helps people and communities in the developing world Provides training and employment schemes UNICEF = United Nations International Children s Emergency Fund Look after children s rights throughout the world An Taisce Residents Association Campaigns for a better environment 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

8 Government Departments - there are 15 in total Dept of the Taoiseach Dept of Education & Skills Dept of Finance Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform Taoiseach: Enda Kenny Minister: Ruairi Quinn Responsible for the administration of public finance, including, the collection and expenditure of the revenues. Minsiter: Michael Noonan In charge of managing spending on public services. Minister: Brendan Howlin Dept of Foreign Affairs & Trade Deals with our political and trading relations with other countries Minister: Eamon Gilmore Dept of Justice, Equality Defence Dept of Health & Children Dept of Jobs, Enterprise, & Innovation Dept of Communications, & Natural Resources Dept of Agriculture, Food & the Marine Dept of Environment Community and Local Govt. Dept of Transport, Tourism and Sport Dept of Social Protection Dept of Children and Youth Affairs Dept of Arts, Heritage and The Gaeltacht. Deals with enforcement of law and order, ensuring everyone treated equally and under the law, preserving peace and security. Minister: Alan Shatter Minister: Dr. James Reilly Encourages industry and employment Minister: Richard Bruton Responsibility for telecommunications (broadcasting, broadband) and energy (electricity, gas) Minister: Pat Rabitte Responsible for the promotion and development of agriculture, food and marine development in Ireland Minister: Simon Coveney Oversees local government and environmental issues. Minister: Phil Hogan Minister Leo Varadkar In charge of social welfare and benefits. Minister: Joan Burton Looks after the needs of children across all departments. Minister: Frances Fitzgerald Protects and promotes Ireland culture and language. Minister: Jimmy Deenihan

9 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

10 Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein Test Yourself Put the name and party beside each politician

11 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)

12 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

13 3. Other Important People Mary Robinson (former Irish President and UN Human Rights campaigner) 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)

14 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)

15 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

16 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

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