Attorney General

In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General or Attorney-General, is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.

Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland the Attorney-General is the principal law officer of the state and legal adviser to the Government of Ireland. He is not a member of the Government though he attends cabinet meetings. He is appointed by the President of Ireland upon the nomination of the Taoiseach. Before 1974 all crimes and offences were prosecuted at the suit of the Attorney General. Since then indictable criminal offences have been prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to Government is a constituent department of the Office of the Attorney General. Prior to 1922, a similar role was performed by a UK Government Minister, the Attorney-General for Ireland.

Related Topics:
Republic of Ireland - Attorney-General - Government of Ireland - President of Ireland - Taoiseach - Director of Public Prosecutions - Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to Government - Attorney-General for Ireland

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: See also: Chief State Solicitor

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