politics of the republic of ireland

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Politics of the Republic of Ireland Benedict (Viktor) Gombocz

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Page 1: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Benedict (Viktor) Gombocz

Page 2: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Geography of the Republic of Ireland Location: Western Europe, taking up

five-sixths of the island of Ireland, west of Great Britain

Area Total: 70,273 sq km Country comparison to the world: 120 Land: 68,883 sq km Water: 1,390 sq km

Area – comparative: Slightly bigger than West Virginia

Land boundaries: Total: 360 km Border countries: UK 360 km

Coastline: 1,448 km

Page 3: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Physical Map of the Republic of Ireland

Page 4: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Religion in the Republic of Ireland Christianity, with the Roman Catholic Church having the

most followers, is the biggest religion in Ireland.

The Irish constitution specifies that the state may not support a specific religion and promises freedom of religion.

84.2% of the population identified themselves as Roman Catholic in 2011; less than 5 years earlier, only 2.6% did so, even though the number of Catholics increased by 179,889.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland are among other important Protestant denominations.

The second biggest Christian denomination, the Church of Ireland (Anglican), lost members for most of the twentieth century, although it has more recently underwent an increase, as have other small Christian denominations.

Ireland’s Hindu and Muslim communities have undergone enormous growth in recent years, due in large part to immigration.

In the 2011 census, 269,811 people (5.9%) belonged to no religion, with 3,905 and 3,521 people identifying themselves as “atheist” and “agnostic”, correspondingly.

Those Irish citizens who did not claim adherence to a religion numbered 72,914 (1.6%).

Researchers dispute the relative importance of secularism as a common characteristic of Irish society, the interpratation of census effects, and the degree to which religious syncretism is becoming more prevalent.

Page 5: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Religion Statistics Roman Catholic 87.4% Church of Ireland 2.9% Other Christian1.9% Other 2.1% Unspecified 1.5% None 4.2%

Page 6: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Introduction to the Republic of Ireland’s political system The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary, representative democratic republic and a member

of the EU. While the popularly elected President of Ireland serves as the head of state, the President’s

role is a fundamentally ritual post; real power is vested in the indirectly elected Taoiseach (PM) who serves as head of government.

The government, which is made up of no more than 15 cabinet ministers, inclusive of the Taoiseach (PM) and Tánaiste (Deputy PM), exercises executive power.

Legislative power is vested in the Oireachtas, the country’s bicameral national parliament, which is grouped of Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann, and the President of Ireland.

The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Chief Justice, who manages the Supreme Court, leads the judiciary. While Ireland has numerous political parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, historically opposed

and rival entities which both control the customary centre ground, have ruled the political setting for decades; from the 1930s until 2011, they were the biggest and second biggest parties, correspondingly, and the origins of both parties date back to the opposing sides of the Irish Civil War.

The Labour Party, historically Ireland’s third political party, has only been in power when in coalition with either of the two main parties.

2011 saw a significant political shift in Ireland, in which Fine Gael became the biggest party and Labour became the second biggest party; Fianna Fáil fell to third as a result of loss of support, whereas Sinn Féin underwent a considerable increase in support.

Page 7: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Main office holders

Office Name

President

Taoiseach

Tánaiste

Michael D. Higgins (Independent, since 11 November 2011)

Enda Kenny (Fine Gael, since 9 March 2011)

Eamon Gilmore (Labour Party, since 9 March 2011)

Page 8: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Government of Ireland Capital (and largest city): Dublin Official language(s): Irish, English Demonym: Irish Government: Unitary parliamentary

constitutional republic President: Michael D. Higgins Taoiseach: Enda Kenny Tánaiste: Eamon Gilmore Legislature: Oireachtas Upper house: Seanad Éireann Lower house: Dáil Éireann

Page 9: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Constitution The nation functions under the Constitution of Ireland (Irish: Bunreacht

na hÉireann), approved in 1937 through means of a referendum. The constitution falls within the liberal democratic custom, and

describes the organs of government and promises specific basic liberties.

The constitution can only be modified through means of a referendum. Significant constitutional referendums have concerned issues including

abortion, the status of the Catholic Church, divorce, and the EU.

Page 10: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

President The President of Ireland is the head of state.

In following the state’s parliamentary structure of government, the President exercises a primarily traditional role, though he/she does have certain definite powers.

Irish citizens who are no younger than 35 are eligible for the presidency.

Candidates are elected directly through secret ballot under the alternative vote; a candidate may be named for election as President by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or by four or more of Ireland’s 34 County and City Councils.

A retiring President may name himself/herself as a nominee for re-election.

If only one legitimate nominee is appointed for election (e.g., if there is agreement among the political parties to appoint a single nominee), it is not necessary to proceed to a ballot and that nominee is considered elected.

The President is elected to a seven-year term of office; no individual is permitted to serve more than two terms.

In conducting their legitimate duties, the President is assisted by the Council of State; Ireland does not have a VP.

In the event that the President cannot conduct his/her duties, or if the office of President is empty, the responsibilities of the President are conducted by the Presidential Commission.

Page 11: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Executive Branch A cabinet known simply as the

Government exercises executive authority.

Article 28 of the Constitution specifies that the Government may not comprise less than seven and no more than fifteen members, explicitly the Taoiseach (PM), the Tánaiste (Deputy PM), and up to thirteen other ministers.

The President, after being appointed by the Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament) nominates the Taoiseach.

The remaining ministers are named by the Taoiseach and nominated by the President after their approval by the Dáil.

The Government must keep the trust of the Dáil Éireann, and in case the Taoiseach no longer receives support of the lower house, they must either step down or ask the President to dissolve the Dáil, in which case a general election is called.

Page 12: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Legislative Branch Article 15 of the Constitution of

Ireland made the Oireachtas Ireland’s national parliament.

The Oireachtas is made up of the President of Ireland and two elected houses: Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (Senate).

Because the Oireachtas also comprises the President, the formal title of the two law making houses is the House of the Oireachtas.

The legislature’s ruling house is considerably the Dáil.

Page 13: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Dáil Éireann Dáil members are elected directly no less than once per five years under the

single transferable vote form of proportional representation from multi-seat constituencies.

Irish citizens who are no younger than 21 and permanently live in Ireland are eligible for house membership.

The electorate comprises all Irish and British citizens in Ireland older than 18. Dáil members are referred to as Teachta Dála or TDs. There are currently 166 TDs, one of which, the Ceann Comhairle (Chairman), is

routinely returned at an election. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and the Minister for Finance need to be Dáil members;

all other Government members also need to be members of the Dáil, though up to two members may be members of the Seanad.

The Dáil is the only House that may introduce and alter money bills, i.e., financial and tax legislation.

Since the early 1990s, no one party has had a majority in Dáil Éireann; government coalitions have thus been the standard.

Page 14: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Seanad Éireann The Senate is a principally advisory body; it is grouped of sixty members,

i.e., Senators. An election for the Seanad must occur no later than 90 days following a

general election for Dáil members. The Taoiseach appoints eleven senators; an additional six senators are

elected by specific national universities. The remaining 43 are elected from special vocational section of nominees,

for which the electorate comprises 60 members of the departing Senate, the 166 TDs of the arriving Dáil, and the 883 members of 5 city and 29 county councils.

The Senate exercises the power to interrupt legislative suggestions; it is permitted to judge and modify bills sent to it via the Dáil (money bills excluded).

The Senate is only given 21 days to judge money bills sent to it via the Dáil. While the Senate may not change money bills, they can make suggestions

to the Dáil on such bills.

Page 15: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Political parties with elected representation at a local, national, or international level Fine Gael (“Clan of the Gaels”) Labour Party (Páirtí an Lucht

Oibre) Fianna Fáil (“Soldiers of Destiny”) Sinn Féin (“We Ourselves”) Socialist Party (Páirtí Sóisialach) People Before Profit Alliance Workers and Unemployed Action

Group Green Party (Comhaontas Glas) Workers’ Party (Páirtí na nOibrithe) Republican Sinn Féin (Sinn Féin

Poblachtach) Éirígí (“Rise”)

Page 16: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Michael D. Higgins Born in Limerick, Ireland on 18 April

1941. 9th and current President of the

Republic of Ireland, having assumed office on 11 November 2011, after his victory in the 2011 Irish presidential election.

In addition to being a politician, he is a poet, sociologist, writer and announcer.

Was a Teachta Dála (TD) and a member of the Labour Party until he resigned after the 2011 presidential election.

Was also previously a TD for the Galway West constituency; served as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht between 1993-1997.

Page 17: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Enda Kenny Born in Castlebar, County Mayo on 24 April

1951. Current Taoiseach of Ireland since 9 March

2011. Has been the leader of Fine Gael since 2002. Served as Minister for Tourism and Trade

between 1994-1997. Is also a two-term VP of the EPP. Has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for Mayo since

1975, having replaced his father Henry Kenny.

Is the lengthiest-serving TD currently in Dáil Éireann; this makes him the sitting Father of the Dáil.

Led Fine Gael to victory in the 2011 general election; later negotiated a contract with the Labour Party, forming a coalition government on 9 March 2011.

Is the first member of Fine Gael to serve as Taoiseach since John Bruton between 1994-1997; is also the first Fine Gael leader to win in an election since Garret FitzGerald in 1982.

Page 18: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Eamon Gilmore Born in Caltra, County Galway on 24 April 1955.

Holds the posts of Tánaiste (Deputy PM) and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, both since 9 March 2011.

Has also been the Leader of the Labour Party since 6 September 2007.

Has represented the constituency of Dún Laoghaire in Dáil Éireann since 1989, initially as a member of the Workers’ Party of Ireland, subsequently as a member of the Democratic Left, and most recently as a member of the Labour Party.

Previously served as a Minister of State at the Department of the Marine between 1994-1997 as part of the “Rainbow Coalition” under the Government of the 27th Dáil.

Born in County Galway; graduated from University College Galway, and became President of the Union of Students in Ireland.

Subsequently became involved in local politics as a trade union organizer; as a Democratic Left TD, he was vital in arranging that party’s union with Labour.

Was defeated by fellow ex-TD of the Democratic Left, Pat Rabbitte, in Labour’s 2002 leadership election; was instead nominated as the party’s Environment, Housing, and Local Government speaker; was elected to the leadership unopposed in 2007.

Led the Labour Party to its best performance yet with a record of 37 seats during the 2011 general election; this saw Labour come out as Ireland’s second biggest party for the first time in its 99-year history.

Went on to work out a programme for government with Fine Gael that saw the Labour party enter government for the first time since 1997 and Gilmore nominated as Tánaiste, with four other Labour TDs having seats at cabinet.

Page 19: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

Dublin

Page 20: Politics of the Republic of Ireland

The End (an Deireadh)