How to find Republic of Ireland law
Pre-1801
Irish or Pre-Union Statutes in 'Statutes passed in the parliament held in Ireland' (1310 -1800). Also contains Westminster acts.
Held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
1801-1921
No separate Irish parliament, so sources are the same as for UK acts:
- Bays 168-170
- Vlex.com (as originally enacted)
- Westlaw and LexisLibrary (as amended)
Post 1922
1922-1930 acts are in 'Irish Free State Acts.
1924-1996 are in Acts of the Oireachtas'.
'Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated' (1984-2010) contains annotated versions of the acts and includes private acts, lists of legislation and progress of bills.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
Primary Legislation
How to find legislation
- General index to the Irish or Pre-Union Statutes (1310-1800).
- Index to the Statutes 1922-82. Cumulative with a supplement to 1985. Chronological tables of the statutes 1922-1995.
- Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated (Prelims & Tables) (1984-2010) has an index and subject guide.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
- Irish Current Law (Yearbooks and Monthly Digests) (1995-2010) covers legislation by subject. Located at Bay 187.
- The electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) database contains the full text of Acts of the Oireachtas from 1922 to date.
The database is produced by the Office of the Attorney General, but it may contain inaccuracies.
Printed statutes are available from the Government Supplies Agency.
Contact: on
- telephone: + 353 1 6476834
- email: publications@opw.ie
How to check whether legislation has come into force, been amended or repealed
Irish Current Law (Yearbooks and Monthly Digests) (1995-2010) includes:
- commencement and implementation of EC Directives
- Irish law (Bay 187)
Chronological Tables of the Statutes 1922-95 lists amendments.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
Secondary Legislation
Irish statutory instruments from 1922 to date are available on the eISB
Oifigiúil (the official Irish State gazette) contains details of recent SIs.
The full text may also be available on the web site of the relevant government department or agency.
Printed Irish SIs are available from the Government Publications Office who can be contacted by telephone + 353 1 6476834 or email: publications@opw.ie
Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated (Prelims and Tables) lists SIs from 1985-2010.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
Law Reports
Pre-1922
1782-1866
Various series published, a selection is held at Bays 183-185.
1867-2010
The Irish Reports, also known as Law Reports (Ireland) are the official series at bay 184.
1867-1922
Irish Law Times includes law reports and case digests.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
Post-1922
1867-2010
Irish Reports held at Bays 184-187.
1981-2006
Irish Law Reports Monthly. Held in onsite storage, please ask Library staff.
1922-1980
Irish Law Times includes law reports and case digests.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
1983-2005
Irish Law Times.
These are held in offsite storage. Library staff can get access with 48 hours notice.
Irish Legal Information Initiative (IRLII) has a selection of leading Irish cases.
British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) provides access to a selection of judgments from the Irish Supreme Court and High Court from the 1980s and some leading decisions from earlier years.
How to find a case
1867-1988
Irish Digests, in various sequences held in Bay 187.
1995-2010
Irish Current Law (Yearbooks and Monthly Digests) held at Bay 187.
1995-2006
Irish Law Reports Monthly index volumes (indexes in the annual volumes).
Held in onsite storage, please ask Library staff.
Irish Legal Information Initiative IRLII has an index of decisions in the Irish Supreme Court and the Irish High Court.
How to update a case
Use the Irish Current Law (Yearbooks and Monthly Digests) (1995-2010) held at Bay 187.
The monthly parts contain a cumulative case citator.