Republic of Ireland - Revision history

Karajou: Redirected page to Ireland

2014-01-22T14:48:55Z

Redirected page to Ireland

Show changes

CasparRH: update

2012-07-04T02:06:25Z

update

Engels at 23:27, March 24, 2012

2012-03-24T23:27:14Z

DavidE: /* Economy */ internal link

2011-06-01T23:52:50Z

Economy: internal link

WilliamB1: /* Political Parties */

2011-03-28T15:30:16Z

Political Parties

WilliamB1: /* Principal Government Officials */

2011-03-28T15:26:26Z

Principal Government Officials

WilliamB1: /* People */ updated

2011-03-28T15:23:47Z

People: updated

WilliamB1: changed to updated nominal GDP figures

2011-03-28T15:16:51Z

changed to updated nominal GDP figures

WilliamB1 at 15:11, March 28, 2011

2011-03-28T15:11:54Z

WilliamB1: /* Economy */

2011-03-28T15:06:49Z

Economy

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 ===Principal Government Officials===
-*President--Mary McAleese
+*President--Michael D. Higgins
 *Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Enda Kenny
 *Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)--Eamon Gilmore

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 |queen	        =
 |monarch-raw	=
-|president	=Mary McAleese
+|president	=Michael D. Higgins
 |president-raw	=
 |chancellor	=
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 ==Geography==
-The island of Ireland is located in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the west of Britain. Of the thirty two counties of Ireland, twenty six are in the republic, including all counties in the provinces of Connacnt, Munster and Leinster. Of the nine counties of [[Ulster]], three ([[Cavan]], [[Monaghan]] and [[Donegal]]) are in the republic and the remaining counties remain in the [[United Kingdom]]. The longest river in Ireland, The Shannon, divides the Republic into a largely urban eastern section, dominated by Dublin, and a more rural, less economically vibrant western area.
+The island of Ireland is located in the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the west of Britain. Of the thirty two counties of Ireland, twenty six are in the republic, including all counties in the provinces of Connacht, Munster and Leinster. Of the nine counties of [[Ulster]], three ([[Cavan]], [[Monaghan]] and [[Donegal]]) are in the republic and the remaining counties remain in the [[United Kingdom]]. The longest river in Ireland, The Shannon, divides the Republic into a largely urban eastern section, dominated by Dublin, and a more rural, less economically vibrant western area.
 ==People==
@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 ==Government and Political Conditions==
-Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. The current president is Mary McAleese, who is serving her second term after having succeeded President [[Mary Robinson]] - the first instance worldwide where one woman has followed another as an elected head of state. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body. On the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) advice, the president also dissolves the Oireachtas (Parliament).
+Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. The current president is Michael D. Higgins, who is serving his first term after succeeding President [[Mary McAleese]]. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body. On the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) advice, the president also dissolves the Oireachtas (Parliament).
 The [[Taoiseach]] (pronounced "TEE-shuck")(prime minister)  is elected by the Dáil (lower house of Parliament) as the leader of the incoming government. He is usually the leader of the principal political party, of which he had been elected by an internal vote within that party. He usually has to make a deal with other political parties and/or independently elected TDs (members of parliament). In order to be able to form a government he must essentially have the support of a majority of the 166 elected members of Dáil Éireann. Dáil Éireann is far and away the most important political parliament, and Seanad Éireann was historically created as a means to provide the former colonial Anglo-Irish rulers with a voice in national politics. Only one member of Seanad Éireann has served in an Irish government by virtue of that membership, James Dooge. Elections to the Dáil are held approximately every 5 years (unless called earlier due to a political crisis). Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dáil.
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 Local government is by elected county councils and -- in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford -- by county borough corporations. County councils/corporations in turn select city mayors. In practice, however, authority remains with the central government.
-Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. The Progressive Democrats, Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.
+Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.
 The May 2007 national elections brought the Fianna Fail party and its leader Bertie Ahern back to power in a coalition government for an unprecedented third five-year term. Coalition members joining Fianna Fail were the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. In recent months the Mahon Tribunal has been investigating allegations of corruption against the PM when he was Minister of Finance in the early 1990s. However, the PM has not suffered politically -- the coalition remains intact and in September 2007, he survived a vote of no confidence on the issue. Ahern appointed Finance Minister Brian Cowen Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste, pronounced "TAW-nish-tuh"). The Foreign Minister is Dermot Ahern (no relation to the Taoiseach).
@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 '''Labour Party''': Currently the second largest party. The Labour Party has traditionally been the left wing force of Irish politics, though in the recent election under the leadership of a former member of the communist leaning Sinn Fein Workers Party, [[Pat Rabbitte]], the party moved over to the centre in order to join in a possible coalition government with Fine Gael. Although they lost the election, the coalition helped to modernise the party more in line with European Social Democratic Groups. The party is currently led by [[Eamon Gilmore]], a center left politician.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>
 '''Green Party''': A left-wing party and member of the current leading coalition who are in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by John Gormley, the current minister for the Environment.

@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 *Trade (2006): Exports--$119.8 billion (excluding services): machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, food, live animals, manufactured materials, beverages. Imports--$87.4 billion (excluding services): grains, petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, textile yarns. Major suppliers-Great Britain and Northern Ireland 31%, U.S. 11%, Germany 8%, China 7%, Japan 4%, France 3%, rest of the world (including other EU Member States) 36%.
-Ireland was badly hit by the 2008 financial crisis, resulting in the collapse of the property bubble.
+Ireland was badly hit by the 2008 financial crisis, resulting in the collapse of the property [[economic bubble|bubble]].
 ==History==

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 ===Political Parties===
-'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Fianna Fail is traditionally a Populist party, spearheading the disease and slum eradication programme's of the 1950's and 1960's. Nowadays however, it is considered to be on the pragmatic centre as well as supportive of the construction sector and its representatives. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current [[Taoiseach]]([[Prime Minister]]) of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>
+'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's 3rd largest political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but are generally considered centrist and traditionally the choice for republicans (in the Irish sense, meaning supporters of a United Ireland) due to its foundation by Eamon de Valera; considered by his supporters to be the greatest of all Irish nationalists. Fianna Fail is traditionally a Populist party, spearheading the disease and slum eradication programme's of the 1950's and 1960's. Nowadays however, it is considered to be on the pragmatic centre as well as supportive of the construction sector and its representatives. <ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>
-'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, although generally liberal on social issues (though probably not by American standards) Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>
+'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Traditionally the party of Big Business and the farming community, although generally liberal on social issues (though probably not by American standards) Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. <ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>
-'''Labour Party''': The Labour Party has traditionally been the left wing force of Irish politics, though in the recent election under the leadership of a former member of the communist leaning Sinn Fein Workers Party, [[Pat Rabbitte]], the party moved over to the centre in order to join in a possible coalition government with Fine Gael. Although they lost the election, the coalition helped to modernise the party more in line with European Social Democratic Groups. The party is currently led by [[Eamon Gilmore]], a center left politician.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>
+'''Labour Party''': Currently the second largest party. The Labour Party has traditionally been the left wing force of Irish politics, though in the recent election under the leadership of a former member of the communist leaning Sinn Fein Workers Party, [[Pat Rabbitte]], the party moved over to the centre in order to join in a possible coalition government with Fine Gael. Although they lost the election, the coalition helped to modernise the party more in line with European Social Democratic Groups. The party is currently led by [[Eamon Gilmore]], a center left politician.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>
-'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, were once liberal on social issues such as divorce and contraception, but now dominate the centre ground on these issues. [[Mary Harney]] is the current interim leader and Minister for Health of the Republic of Ireland.<ref>[http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php]</ref>
+'''Progressive Democrats''': It is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, were once liberal on social issues such as divorce and contraception, but now dominate the centre ground on these issues. [[Mary Harney]] is the current interim leader. <ref>[http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php]</ref>
 '''Green Party''': A left-wing party and member of the current leading coalition who are in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by John Gormley, the current minister for the Environment.

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ===Principal Government Officials===
 *President--Mary McAleese
-*Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Brian Cowen
+*Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Enda Kenny
-*Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)--Mary Coughlan
+*Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister)--Eamon Gilmore
 ====Taoisigh (Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland====
@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 *'''John Bruton''' (Fine Gael): 1994-1997.
 *'''Bertie Ahern''' (Fianna Fáil): 1997-2008.
-*'''Brian Cowen''' (Fianna Fáil): 2008 to date.<ref> [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=349&docID=-1 Government of Ireland website] </ref>
+*'''Brian Cowen''' (Fianna Fáil): 2008 to 2011.<ref> [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=349&docID=-1 Government of Ireland website]</ref>
 ===Political Parties===

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the [[Normans]]. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools.
-Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, O'Casey, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made a major contribution to English literature over the past 300 years.
+Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, O'Casey, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made major contributions to English literature over the past 300 years.
-*Population: 4,234,935 (2006 est.).
+*Population: 4,470,700 (2010 est.).
-*Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 505,739). Other cities--Cork (119,143), Galway (71,983), Limerick (52,560), Waterford, (45,775).
+*Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 506,211). Other cities--Cork (119,418), Limerick (92,539), Galway (72,414),  Waterford, (45,748).
-*Population breakdown 0-14 years (21%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%)
+*Population breakdown 0-14 years (20.4%), 15-24 years (15%), 25-34 years (17%), 35-44 years (14%), 45-54 years (12%), 55-64 years (10%), 65 years and over (11%)
-*Population growth rate: 1.14 (2007 est.).
+*Population growth rate: 2.61% (2008 est.).
 *Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.
-*Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; Church of Ireland 3 %; Presbyterian 0.5%; Methodist 0.25%; Muslim 1 %; Jewish 0.1%; other 8.35%.
+*Religions: Roman Catholic 86.8%; No religion 4.4%; Church of Ireland 3 %; Islam 0.8%; Presbyterian 0.6%; Orthodox 0.5%; Methodist 0.3%; other 2.1%
 *Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic).
-*Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrollment rates: first (primary) level 449,508, second (high school and vocational) level 335,162, third (university and college) level 133,691. Literacy--98%-99%.
+*Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrolment rates: first (primary) level 449,508, second (high school and vocational) level 335,162, third (university and college) level 133,691. Literacy--98%-99%.
-*Health: Infant mortality rate--5.2/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 75.3 yrs., female 80.7 yrs.
+*Health: Infant mortality rate--4.61/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 77.32 yrs., female 81.79 yrs.
 *Work force: Services--66%; industry--28%; agriculture--6%.
 ==Government and Political Conditions==

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 |chancellor	=
 |chancellor-raw	=
-|pm	        =Brian Cowen
+|pm	        =Enda Kenny
 |pm-raw	        =
 |area	        =27,133 sq mi
-|pop	        =4,239,848 (2007)
+|pop	        =4,470,700 (2010)
 |pop-basis	=
 |gdp	        =
-|gdp-year	=$172.5 billion (2009)
+|gdp-year	=$204.144 billion (2010)
-|gdp-pc	        =$37,700 (2009)
+|gdp-pc	        =$45,642 (2010)
 |currency	=euro
 |idd		=
@@ Line 116: / Line 116: @@
 Many U.S. businesses find Ireland an attractive location to manufacture for the EU market, since it is inside the EU customs area and uses the euro. In 2005, U.S. firms accounted for 61% of Ireland's total exports of euro 89 billion. Other reasons for Ireland's attractiveness include: a 12.5 percent corporate tax rate for domestic and foreign firms; the quality and flexibility of the English-speaking work force; cooperative labor relations; political stability; pro-business government policies; a transparent judicial system; strong intellectual property protection; and, the pulling power of existing companies operating successfully (a "clustering" effect). Factors that negatively affect Ireland's ability to attract investment include: increasing labor and energy costs (especially when compared to low-cost countries in Eastern Europe and Asia), skilled labor shortages, inadequate infrastructure (such as in the transportation and internet/broadband sectors), and price levels that are ranked among the highest in Europe.
-*Nominal GDP (2009): $172.5 billion.
+*Nominal GDP (2009): $204.144 billion.
 *Real GDP growth (2011): 2.8% (Q1 2011).
-*Nominal GDP per capita (2009): $37,700.
+*Nominal GDP per capita (2009): $45,642.
 *Natural resources: Zinc, lead, natural gas, barite, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat.
 *Agriculture (5% of GDP): Products--cattle, meat, and dairy products; potatoes; barley; hay; silage; wheat.