CSPE Fact Sheet

Note:

What follows below is a list of questions, largely based around the past Junior Cert
papers. Thats 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 dont think that just because you know everything listed here
that youre 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: Childrens 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?
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?

Name 2 Irish MEPs?

Brussels and Strasbourg

European Parliament

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?
Why do we celebrate Europe Day on the 9th May every year?

Europe Day

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

didnt 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?

The US President is?

Through United Nations

Peacekeeping operations

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?

Which country joined the Euro in 2013?

10 Downing Street
Croatia

How many countries are in the European Union?

How many countries are in the Euro?

28 Members of the European Union

28

22

18 Members of the Euro

Austria

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

Belgium

Cyprus

Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain

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

havent 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?

The lowest court in Ireland is known as the?

High Court

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 Irish Constitution is known as?

Bunreacht na hEireann is?

The Director of Public

Prosecutions

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?
In Bunreacht na hEireann the numbered points are called?
A referendum is needed if the Govt wants to change?

An Act

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

Politics
The voting system in Ireland is known as?
P.R. stands for?

Proportional Representation

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?

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?

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

In an election, what is a quota?

Polling Station

Ballot Paper

Someone who stands in an election is known as a?

The person who announces the election results?

Candidate
Returning Officer

The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate

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

What is a spoiled vote?

What is a T.D./Teachta Dala?

Spoiled vote

Teachta Dala
Someone who is elected to represent their constituency in Dail
Eireann

What is an elected member of a local authority known as?

What is a constituency?
What is a General Election?

What is a By-Election?

A quota

A vote that cannot be counted

A vote that cannot be counted is known as a?

What does T.D. stand for?

18

A councillor (eg. a county

councillor)

An electoral area eg. Wicklow is one constituency and has 5 TDs

When people across in the country vote to elect TDs 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.

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 persons name must appear on?

The Irish Prime Minister is called?
An Taoiseach is?

The Register of Electors

The Taoiseach/An Taoiseach

The Irish Prime Minister

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

The name of the President of Ireland is?

The Tanaiste/An Tanaiste

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?
The Irish Parliament is called?
Dail Eireann is?

Dail Eireann

The Irish Parliament

The other house in the Irish Parliament is called?

Seanad Eireann is?

Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann

Seanad Eireann

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?

Where does the Irish President live?
Aras an Uachtarain is?

43

Aras an Uachtarain

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 Dil na ng through their local
Comhairle na ng

Ombudsman for Children

An independent organisation that represents childrens rights in Ireland.

The Ombudsmans name is Emily Logan

represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth

organisations and acts on issues that impact on young people

National Youth Council of Ireland

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC)

Protects childrens 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 Childrens Emergency Fund

Look after
childrens 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

Meals on Wheels

Encourages people to report suspicious activity

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

and Reform

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

Deals with enforcement of law and order, ensuring everyone treated equally and
under the law, preserving peace and security.
Minister: Alan Shatter

Dept of Health & Children

Minister: Dr. James Reilly

Dept of Jobs, Enterprise,

& Innovation

Encourages industry and employment

Minister: Richard Bruton

Dept of Communications,
& Natural Resources

Responsibility for telecommunications (broadcasting, broadband) and

energy (electricity, gas)
Minister: Pat Rabitte

Dept of Agriculture, Food

& the Marine

Responsible for the promotion and development of agriculture,

food and marine development in Ireland
Minister: Simon Coveney

Dept of Environment
Community and Local Govt.

Oversees local government and environmental issues.

Minister: Phil Hogan

Dept of Transport, Tourism

and Sport

Minister Leo Varadkar

Dept of Social Protection

In charge of social welfare and benefits.

Minister: Joan Burton

Dept of Children and Youth

Affairs

Looks after the needs of children across all departments.

Minister: Frances Fitzgerald

Dept of Arts, Heritage and

The Gaeltacht.

Protects and promotes Ireland culture and language.

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 Childrens Fund)

Bono (Third World Debt campaigner)

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