The design was approved by the Executive Council of the Irish Free State on 15 September 1937,[5] in preparation for the adoption of the current constitution on 29 December 1937.

It specifies several situations in which the president must send a message "under his hand and seal":[2] It specifies other cases where his signature is required: While not always expliclity required by the Constitution, in practice each exercise of his official functions is accompanied by a signed and sealed document.

[19] For example, while Article 13.1.1° does not specify the manner in which the president appoints a nominated Taoiseach, the practice includes signing and sealing a warrant.

[24] Since the coming into force in 1949 of The Republic of Ireland Act 1948, the president has authority to sign and seal important treaties and diplomatic credentials.

The presidential seal has only been used for Full Powers instruments relating to the Treaties of the European Union.