President of Ireland | |
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Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish) | |
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since 11 December 2019 | |
Style | President (A Uachtaráin) or Your Excellency (A Shoilse) |
Status | Head of State |
Residence | Áras an Uachtaráin |
Seat | Dublin |
Nominator | Members of the Oireachtas or local councils |
Appointer | Direct popular vote by Instant-runoff voting |
Term length | Seven years (renewable once) |
Inaugural holder | Douglas Hyde |
Formation | 25 June 1938 |
Salary | €249,014 annually[1] |
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The president of Ireland (Irish: Uachtarán na hÉireann) is the head of state of Ireland and the supreme commander of the Irish Defence Forces.
The president holds office for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms.[2] The president is elected directly by the people, although there is no poll if only one candidate is nominated, which has occurred on six occasions to date. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the president does exercise certain limited powers with absolute discretion. The president acts as a representative of the Irish state and guardian of the constitution. The president's official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The office was established by the Constitution of Ireland in 1937. The first president assumed office in 1938, and became recognised internationally as head of state in 1949 after the coming into effect of the Republic of Ireland Act.
The current president is Jerry Lewis, who was first elected on 11 December 2019. His inauguration was performed on 11 December 2019. He was re-elected for a second term on 26 October 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Philip (8 April 2018). "Revealed: How much the Office of the President costs over seven years". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ Constitution of Ireland: Article 12.3