Module Code - Title:
LA4430
-
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW 1
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Currently, the School of Law delivers lectures on the Irish Constitution to all our LLB degrees and to a number of FAHSS courses. These modules are entitled Public Law 1 and Public Law 2. The term Public Law is outdated and cumbersome. The two new modules being created will keep the content of the Public Law modules but will use the more commonly used name of Constitutional Law. It will be to the advantage of students, and professional bodies and employers with which they deal, as the term Constitutional Law bears the more commonly used term for the study of this area of law.
Syllabus:
Constitutional Law I will examine the Irish Constitution from an institutional perspective. The course will examine how the Constitution regulates the legal framework of the Irish state and its institutions, including the interaction between these various institutions. Thus, during the course, fundamental issues such as sovereignty and the separation of powers will be examined. The historical development of the Constitution will be initially addressed, and then the powers and competencies of the various organs of government. The related issue of international obligations, including our obligations due to our membership of the European Union will be considered. Issues such as constitutional litigation and constitutional interpretation will also be considered.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the development of the Constitution from a historical perspective
Identify the various institutions established by the Irish Constitution
Examine the potential impact of international law on the domestic legal position in the context of constitutional limitations
Differentiate between the powers and functions of the three organs of government
Appraise the relationship between the Nation, the State and the People
Influence opinion by presenting cogent oral and written legal arguments
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
N/A
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Casey (2000)
Constitutional Law in Ireland
, Dublin: Round Hall Sweet and Maxwell
Forde (2004)
Constitutional Law 2nd ed.
, Dublin: Firstlaw
Hogan and Whyte (2002)
JM Kelly: The Irish Constitution 4th ed.
, Dublin: Butterworths
Doyle (2008)
Constitutional Law: Text, Cases and Materials
, Dublin: Clarus Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Carolan and Doyle (2008)
The Irish Constitution: Governance and Values
, Dublin: Thomson Round Hall
Hogan and Morgan (1998)
Administrative Law in Ireland 3rd edition
, Dublin: Round Hall Sweet & Maxwell
Keogh and McCarthy (2007)
The Making of the Irish Constitution 1937
, Cork: Mercer Press
Morgan ()
The Separation of Powers in the Irish Constitution
, Dublin: Roundhall
Ryan (2008)
Constitutional Law 2nd edition
, Dublin: Round Hall
Murphy and Twomey (eds) (1998)
Irelands Evolving Constitution 1937-1997 Collected Essays
, Oxford: Hart Publishing
Sarkin and Binchy (2004)
The Administration of Justice: Current Themes in Comparative Perspective
, Dublin: Four Courts Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
Laura.Cahillane@ul.ie