Ordinary Referendum

The ordinary referendum is a referendum in the Republic of Ireland in which the president may refer a bill directly to the electorate before it becomes law. Articles 27 and 47 of the Constitution of Ireland provides for a referendum on a proposal other than a proposal to amend the constitution (referred to in law as an "ordinary referendum"). The ordinary referendum exists in a reserve power of the President of Ireland known as "reference of bills to the People". However this power has not yet been invoked so, to date, no ordinary referendum has ever occurred. Like the constitutional referendum, which is a frequent occurrence in the Republic, the ordinary referendum is open to all adult Irish citizens.