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Historical Background of the Constitution of Ireland

The Constitution of the Irish Free State was the governing document when Ireland gained dominion status from the United Kingdom on December 6, 1922. However, it was replaced by the Constitution of Ireland on December 9, 1937, following a nationwide plebiscite held on July 1, 1937.

The replacement of the 1922 constitution in 1937 was prompted by two major factors. Firstly, the Statute of Westminster 1931 granted parliamentary autonomy to the six British Dominions (now known as Commonwealth realms) within a British Commonwealth of Nations. Secondly, the Irish Government under Éamon de Valera, the third President of Ireland, sought to establish a distinct Irish identity by placing Irish symbols on government institutions.

To gain insights into the background of the Indian Constitution, check out the linked article.

Creation of the Constitution of Ireland

The initial draft of the Irish Constitution was crafted by John Hearne, a legal advisor to the Department of Foreign Affairs, under the direct supervision of Éamon De Valera. It was translated into the Irish language by a committee led by Micheál Ó Gríobhtha, who worked for the Department of Education. The draft also benefited from the inputs of various religious and social welfare leaders like Monsignor McQuaid, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, and Archbishop John Gregg of the Church of Ireland.

There have been instances where the Irish and English texts of the Constitution conflict due to translation discrepancies. In such cases, the Constitution favours the Irish text over the English one, even though English is predominantly used for official purposes.

The draft constitution, with minor modifications, was approved by the Irish Parliament on June 14, 1937. It was then presented to the public in a plebiscite on July 1, 1937, where it was passed by a plurality. The constitution officially came into effect on December 29, 1937.

To learn more about how the Indian Constitution compares with constitutions from around the world, visit the linked article.

Main Provisions of the Constitution of Ireland

The Constitution of Ireland is composed of a Preamble and fifty Articles, which are organised under sixteen headings. The provisions of these articles are as follows:

For a comprehensive list of important articles in the Indian Constitution, visit the linked article. Stay updated with the latest current affairs by visiting the linked article.

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