Six things to know about the Irish Presidential election

Six things to know about the Irish Presidential election

Posted on: 29 September 2025

Now that the list of candidates for the Irish Presidential Election is confirmed, political scientist Gail McElroy offers a quick explainer on the role of the President, the powers and limitations of the office, and how the election process works.

1. Who can vote?

To vote in an presidential election, you must be an Irish citizen, be at least 18 years old, ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland and registered to vote. Unlike general, local, or European elections, the electorate for presidential elections (and referendums) is limited to Irish citizens.

2. Who can be President?

To be eligible, a candidate must be an Irish citizen and at least 35 years of age. Dual citizenship is, however, allowed: for example, Dana Rosemary Scallon, a 2011 candidate, held both Irish and US citizenship.

3. What does the President of Ireland actually do?

By international standards, the Irish presidency is relatively weak - but it is not entirely powerless. The role has, historically, been largely symbolic and unifying, above day-to-day politics. The President represents Ireland abroad, welcomes visiting heads of state, and acts only on the advice of the government.

The Irish Constitution also gives the President certain powers, which, while rarely used, are not, entirely, insignificant:

• Refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the Taoiseach's request (never exercised, but occasionally hinted at by a sitting president).
• Referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality (used only 16 times since 1938).
• Convening the Houses of the Oireachtas (after consultation with the Council of State).
• Addressing the Houses of the Oireachtas (however the message to be delivered must have government approval).
• Referring a bill of "such national importance" to the people by referendum - but this power can only be exercised if requested by a majority of Senators and at least one-third of TDs. This power has never been used.

4. What can the President not do?

The President has no role in:

• Government formation
• Initiating or vetoing legislation
• Setting the national budget
• Determining foreign policy

While the President formally appoints judges, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and other officeholders, all appointments are made on the advice of the government. Importantly, the President cannot unilaterally call a referendum, despite this common misconception.

5. Why a seven-year term?

The seven-year presidential term is quite long but not unique. When the Irish Constitution was drafted in the 1930s, similar terms were found elsewhere. Today, only a handful of countries retain seven-year presidencies, including Italy (though its president is indirectly elected and mostly ceremonial), Armenia, and Kazakhstan. France reduced its presidential term from seven to five years following a referendum in 2000.

6. How does voting work?

The voting system is the same as in other Irish elections: proportional representation with a single transferable vote (PR-STV). Voters may:

• Rank all candidates in order of preference
• Choose just one ("plumping")
• Indicate as many or as few preferences as they wish

To win, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote. Transfers can prove decisive. In 1990, Mary Robinson trailed Brian Lenihan Sr. on the first count (39% to 44%) but overtook him after transfers from Austin Currie, finishing with nearly 52% of the vote.

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