Difference between revisions of "Republic of Ireland"
m |
|||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Ireland''' is a parliamentary democracy in north-western Europe consisting of 26 counties on the island of [[Ireland]]. | + | '''Ireland''' (official description: '''Republic of Ireland'''[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/plweb-cgi/fastweb?state_id=1197556861&view=ag-view&numhitsfound=2&query_rule=%28%28$query3%29%29%3Alegtitle&query3=Republic%20of%20Ireland%20Act&docid=19310&docdb=Acts&dbname=Acts&dbname=SIs&sorting=none&operator=and&TemplateName=predoc.tmpl&setCookie=1])is a parliamentary democracy in north-western Europe consisting of 26 counties on the island of [[Ireland]]. |
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
Revision as of 15:05, December 13, 2007
| Éire | |
|---|---|
 | |
 |
 |
| Flag | Coat of Arms |
| Capital | Dublin |
| Government | Republic and Parliamentary Democracy |
| Language | Irish and English (official) |
| President | Mary McAleese |
| Area | 27,133 sq mi |
| Population | 4,239,848 (2007) |
| GDP per capita | $43,600 (2006) |
| Currency | euro |
Ireland (official description: Republic of Ireland[1])is a parliamentary democracy in north-western Europe consisting of 26 counties on the island of Ireland.
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 -- also the longest in the British Isles -- divides the Republic into a largely urban eastern section, dominated by Dublin, and a more rural, less economically vibrant western area.
History
The island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom until 1921. After that the island was partitioned by the British into two states, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. The proposed self-rule government of Southern Ireland never formally came into being and instead a provisional independent government, the Provisional Government of Ireland was established following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921. The Irish Free State, a dominion nation, was established in December 1922 following ratification of the treaty by Dail Éireann, the Irish parliament.
The Irish Free State ceased to exist in 1937 when the current constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann was adopted. After that the southern state was known as simply "Ireland". However the British and Northern Ireland governments disliked this name and would refer, incorrectly, to the state using its Irish language name, Éire.
The Republic of Ireland was declared in 1949. At this point the Republic of Ireland left the British Commonwealth, severing all political ties with Britain.
Politics
The Republic of Ireland uses Proportional Representation meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The Republic of Ireland has a bicameral legislature, "the Oireachtas". It consists of the 166 seat lower house Dáil(parliament) and the 66 seat upper house, the Seanad(Senate), which both sit in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour. The current government is a coalition of Fianna Fáil, Green Party and Progressive Democrats. The Republic of Ireland is also a member of the European Union and is represented by 13 MEPs. [1]
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.[2]
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. [3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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 Enviorment.
Sinn Féin: (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Remnant of Ireland's oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the Provisional IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic that have since disbanded. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as gay marriage. They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by former IRA commander Gerry Adams. [6]
Taoisigh(Prime Ministers) of the Republic of Ireland
Éamon de Valera (Fianna Fáil): 1937-1948, 1951-1954, 1957-1959.
John A.Costello (Fine Gael): 1948-1951, 1954-1957.
Seán Lemass (Fianna Fáil): 1959-1966.
Jack Lynch (Fianna Fáil): 1966-1973, 1977-1979.
Liam Cosgrave (Fine Gael): 1973-1977.
Charles Haughey (Fianna Fáil): 1979-1981, March 1982 - December 82 and March 1987 - February 1992.
Garret FitzGerald (Fine Gael): 30 June 1981- 9 March 1982 and 14 December 1982 - 10 March 1987.
Albert Reynolds (Fianna Fáil): February 1992-1994.
John Bruton (Fine Gael): 1994-1997.
Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil): 1997-Present. [7]