Junior Cert CSPE Revision Notes for Exam 2015.

1. CSPE Fact Sheet – Miss O’ Connor
Note: What follows below is a list of questions, largely based around the past Junior Cert
papers. That’s 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 don’t think that just because you know everything listed here
that you’re 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 SevenKey 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: Children’s 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

2. International
E.U. stands for? European Union
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 meets in which two cities? Brussels and Strasbourg
M.E.P. stands for? Member of the European Parliament
How many Irish MEPs are there? Eleven
There are 751 MEPs elected to the? European Parliament
Name 2 Irish MEPs? Deirdre Clune, Brian Crowley
Who is the President of the European Parliament? Martin Schulz, Germany
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? Jean Claude Juncker, Luxembourg
Who is the Irish European Commissioner? Phil Hogan
We celebrate being members of the EU on the 9th May every year. This is known as? Europe Day
Why do we celebrate Europe Day on the 9th May every year? 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? The European Court of Human Rights
I.M.F. stands for? The International Monetary Fund
Why was the IMF in Ireland last year? To lend money to (“bail out”) the Government which
didn’t 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? Through United Nations
Peacekeeping operations
The US President is? Barack Obama
Where does the US President live? The White House, Washington DC

3. 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? 10 Downing Street
Which country joined the Euro in 2013? Croatia
How many countries are in the European Union? 28
How many countries are in the Euro? 19
28 Members of the EuropeanUnion
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

4. 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
haven’t receivedjustice 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? High Court
The lowest court in Ireland is known as the? 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 Director of Public
Prosecutions
The Irish Constitution is known as? Bunreacht na hEireann
Bunreacht na hEireann is? The name of the Irish Constitution
In Ireland, a law (which is also called a “Bill”) passed by the Oireachtas is called? An Act
In Bunreacht na hEireann the numbered points are called? Articles
A referendum is needed if the Govt wants to change? 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

5. Politics
The voting system in Ireland is known as? Proportional Representation
P.R. stands for? 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 sevenyears
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? 18
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? Polling Station
The slip of paper filled in by a voter is called a? Ballot Paper
Someone who stands in an election is known as a? Candidate
In an election, what is a “quota”? The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate
The smallest number of votes needed to elect a candidate is called? A quota
What is a spoiled vote? A vote that cannot be counted
A vote that cannot be counted is known as a? Spoiled vote
What does T.D. stand for? Teachta Dala
What is a T.D./Teachta Dala? Someone who is electedto represent their constituency in Dail
Eireann
What is an elected member of a local authority known as? A councillor (eg. a county
councillor)
What is a constituency? An electoral area – eg. Wicklow is one constituency and has 5 TDs
What is a General Election? When people across in the country vote to elect TD’s in every
constituency, thereby forming a new Dail and new
government
What is a By-Election? 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

6. To have a vote in Ireland, a person’s name must appear on? The Registerof Electors
The Irish Prime Minister is called? The Taoiseach/An Taoiseach
An Taoiseach is? The Irish Prime Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister (second-in-command) is called? The Tanaiste/An Tanaiste
The name of the President of Ireland is? 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? Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann
The Irish Parliament is called? Dail Eireann
Dail Eireann is? The Irish Parliament
The other “house” in the Irish Parliament is called? Seanad Eireann
Seanad Eireann is? The Irish senate - The “upper house” in the Irish Parliament
Where do Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann meet? Leinster House
How many Dail Constituencies are there at the moment? 43
Where does the Irish President live? Aras an Uachtarain
Aras an Uachtarain is? The home of the Irish President in Phoenix Park, Dublin
PoliticalParties and their Current Leaders
Fianna Fail Michael Martin
Green Party Eamon Ryan
Fine Gael Enda Kenny
Labour Party Joan Burton
Sinn Fein Gerry Adams

7. 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 ofolder people
Focus Ireland Looks after homeless people
Simon Community Looks after the needs ofhomeless 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 allowyoung 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 Dáil na nÓg through their local
Comhairle na nÓg
Ombudsman for Children An independent organisation that represents children’s rights in Ireland.
The Ombudsman’s name is Emily Logan
National Youth Council of Ireland represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth
organisations and acts on issues that impact on young people
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) Protects children’s 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 Children’s Emergency Fund Look after
children’s rights throughout the world
An Taisce Campaigns for a better environment
Residents’ Association Looks after the interests ofpeople who live in a particular area
Neighbourhood Watch/Community Alert Encourages people to report suspicious activity
Meals on Wheels Brings meals to elderly people in their homes

8. Government Departments
We will put names for the ministers for each dept and what each dept does later in the year – with a General
Election due in March there’s no point you learning something that is very likely to change significantly by June.
Dept of the Taoiseach
Dept of Education & Skills
Dept of Finance
Dept of Foreign Affairs Deals with our relations with other countries
Dept of Justice
Dept of Health & Children
Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Innovation Encourages industry and employment
Dept of Communications, Energy & NaturalResources
Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
Dept of Defence
Dept of Environment, Heritage and Local Govt
Dept of Transport
Dept of Tourism, Culture & Sport
Dept of Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs
Dept of Social Protection

9. Photo Call! The first question on the exam usually involves photos
1. President& Party Leaders NB: These are virtually certain to change in spring 2011
Michael D. Higgins, President
Micheal Martin, Fianna Fail
Enda Kenny, Fine Gael
Joan Burton, Labour Party
Eamon Ryan, Green Party

10. Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein

11. 2. International Figures
Ban Ki Moon (UN Secretary General)
Jean Claude Juncker (President, EU Commission)
Aung San Suu Kyi (Burnam Human Rights campaigner)
’ Nelson Mandela (former South African President
and Human Rights activist – died 2013)
Barack Obama (US President)
David Cameron (British Prime Minister)

12. Angela Merkel (German Chancellor)
Francois Hollande (President of France)
Dmitry Medvedev (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)

13. 3. Other Important People
Adi Roche (Chernobyl Children’s Fund)
Bono (Third World Debt campaigner)
Martin Luther King, Jr (Human Rights activist in 1960’s USA)
Dr. Niall Muldoon (National Ombudsman for Children)
Phil Hogan (Irish EU Commissioner)
Sean Barrett (Dail Ceann Comhairle)

14. 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

15. 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