<< Article 44 | Constitution of Ireland | Article 46 >>
The principles of social policy set forth in this Article
are intended for the general guidance of the Oireachtas.
The application of those principles in the making of
laws shall be the care of the Oireachtas exclusively,
and shall not be cognisable by any Court under any of
the provisions of this Constitution.
- The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the
whole people by securing and protecting as
effectively as it may a social order in which justice
and charity shall inform all the institutions of the
national life.
- The State shall, in particular, direct its policy
towards securing:—
- That the citizens (all of whom, men and
women equally, have the right to an
adequate means of livelihood) may through
their occupations find the means of making
reasonable provision for their domestic
needs.
- That the ownership and control of the
material resources of the community may
be so distributed amongst private
individuals and the various classes as best
to subserve the common good.
- That, especially, the operation of free
competition shall not be allowed so to
develop as to result in the concentration of
the ownership or control of essential
commodities in a few individuals to the
common detriment.
- That in what pertains to the control of credit
the constant and predominant aim shall be
the welfare of the people as a whole.
- That there may be established on the land
in economic security as many families as
in the circumstances shall be practicable.
- The State shall favour and, where necessary,
supplement private initiative in industry and
commerce.
- The State shall endeavour to secure that private
enterprise shall be so conducted as to ensure
reasonable efficiency in the production and
distribution of goods and as to protect the public
against unjust exploitation.
- The State pledges itself to safeguard with
especial care the economic interests of the weaker
sections of the community, and, where necessary,
to contribute to the support of the infirm, the widow,
the orphan, and the aged.
- The State shall endeavour to ensure that the
strength and health of workers, men and women,
and the tender age of children shall not be abused
and that citizens shall not be forced by economic
necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their sex,
age or strength.
<< Article 44 | Constitution of Ireland | Article 46 >>