1982 Irish Constitutional Reform (Napoleon's World)

The 1982 Irish Constitutional reforms, known in Ireland as "The Reforms", were a series of institutional reforms enacted by the Irish government, in particular Labour leaders Jack Lynch and Liam Cosgrave, to decentralize the Irish government and strip powers from the office of the Presidency while also separating the election of the Presidency from the elections of the Dail, making the President a true head of state while empowering the Taioseach as a true head of government. The Reforms occurred as a direct result of the late 1970's Belfast Crises and the Troubles in Northern Ireland that had occurred since the late 1960's, as well as the various scandals, assassinations and social upheavals that had plagued Ireland for twenty years.

The Reforms completely separated the Presidency from the Dail, establishing a dedicated executive eligible to serve a maximum of two six-year terms, as well as empowering the Taioseach to serve as an effective head of government. This prevented the bizarre power plays common in Ireland up until that point. It also separated Presidential elections from general elections for the Dail Eireann, allowing the Taioseach to use calling a general election as a political tool without endangering the President, in case the President was unprepared to mount a campaign. The Reforms also devolved numerous powers on tax collections, local laws and religious ordinances back to the counties, in a direct response to the issues brought forth during the 1970's.