History First settlements arrived in 8000BC By 200 BC celtic influence dominated the island Complete European domination by the 1600s Became part of the UK in 1801 Potato famine in mid 1800s Anglo-Irish war ended in 1921

Recent History Civil War from Became a republic in 1949 when the Free State left the Commonwealth In 1973, both parts of Ireland joined the European Community Conflict in North Ireland led to unrest from 1960s-1990s following a peace deal in 1998 Switched to Euro in 2002, used pound before

Anglo-Irish War Between British Government and the Irish Republican Army IRA was led by Roy O’Connor The main driving force behind the independence movement was Michael Collins IRA won, Ireland won independence from Britain

Irish Civil War Between the Free State and the Republican opposition Free State favored the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Republican thought they treaty was a betrayal of the Irish Republic Won by the Free State Forces

Demographics Population: 4,203,200 Age Range: 0-14 years: 20.9% (male 454,571/female 424,022) years: 67.1% (male 1,411,336/female 1,409,760) 65 years and over: 12% (male 224,850/female 278,661) Average Age : total: 35 years male: 34.2 years female: 35.7 years Growth Rate: 1.12% Birth Rate: births/1,000 population Death Rate: 7.77 deaths/1,000 population Life Expectancy: total population: years male: 75.6 years female: years

Demo. cont Ethnic Groups: Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% Religion: Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% Languages: English and Gaelic Literacy Rate: 99%

Legislation Bicameral Parliament (or Oireachtas) Consists of a Senate with 60 seats. 49 are elected by universities and 11 are nominated by the Prime Minister. 5 year terms. Consists of House of Representatives with 166 seats, voted in through proportional representation. 5 year terms.

PartiesNumber of Seats Fianna Fail28 Fine Gael14 Labor Party6 Progressive Democrats2 Green Party2 Sein Fein1 Independents7 Senate Seats by Party

PartiesPercentage of VoteNumber of Seats Fianna Fail Fine Gael Labor Party Sinn Fein6.94 Green Party4.76 Progressive Democrats2.72 Independents/Other6.74 House of Representatives Vote Percentage and Seats by Party

Prime Minister Currently Brian Cowen (2008) Head of gov Nominated by the House of Reps and appointed by the president Also called the Taoiseach Can be removed by a vote of no confidence

Former PMs Bertie Ahern ( ): coalition government, high economic growth during his periods John Bruton ( ): Rainbow Coalition, Northern Ireland freedom Albert Reynolds ( ): X case incident, Gulf War Charles Haughey ( , 1982, ): 1979 energy crisis, 3 terms as PM

President Currently Mary McAleese (1997) Elected for seven year terms, eligible for a second term Head of state First Irish President was Douglass Hyde

Line of Succession No VP Successor must be elected in 60 days VP duties are carried out by Presidential commission, which consists of Chief Justice, Speaker of the House, and Chairperson of the Senate

Impeachment Only two ways that the pres can be impeached Removed by Supreme Court if at least five sitting judges and pres has become “permanently incapacitated” Can be removed by House with 2/3 vote but only for “stated misbehavior” House Impeachment can only be started by request of at least 30 members

Cabinet Appointed by Pres with previous nomination by the PM Approved by House Dismissed by advice by PM

Judicial Branch Supreme Court Judges appointed by Pres on advice by PM and Cabinet Judicial Review Sits in Four Courts in Dublin 9 members including Chief Justice Chief Justice is Currently John L. Murray (2008)

Bureaucracy Civil servants are ambivalent about the brokerage activities of politicians Councilors are concerned with re-election and political rivalries, and use their office to enhance their political standing Manager is legally responsible for the execution of policy

Northern Ireland Controlled by England Succeeded from Ireland in 1921

Economy Trade oriented GDP $285 Billion GDP division: agriculture: 5% industry: 46% services: 49% Uses Euro In 2007, surpassed the per capita GDP of U.S.A.

Political Culture People 18 and older have suffrage European Union Vote more conservative Catholic Love for Irish language, culture and history

Foreign Policy Peace with GB, Northern Ireland, and Sinn Fein EU membership is crucial to the survival of Ireland

Political Parties Fianna Fáil: Conservative, largest, most successful Fine Gael: Moderate Conv, 2 nd largest party Labour: Socialist, left wing democratic Green Party: Environmental party, advocates socially liberal policies Sinn Féin: revolves around democratic socialism, Irish Republicanism, and Irish Nationalism Progressive Democrats: Liberal, Free Market, liberal economics, social moral policies current leader is Noel Grealish Independents

Fianna Fáil Republican Party History of corruption Leading party in coalition gov with green party Founded in March Leader is Brian Cowen

Fine Gael United Ireland Party Christian democracy Founded Sept Pro-EU Opposed to violent Irish Republican Leader is Enda Kenny

Labour Party Founded 1912 Left wing, democratic socialist Leader is Eamon Gilmore

Great Potato Famine Lasted from Reduced the population of Ireland by 20-25% A million of the population died and another million emigrated from Ireland It permanently changed Ireland’s demographic, political, and cultural landscape

Great Potato Famine Cont It is remembered as one of the most historical points in Irish history It has been debated if it constituted genocide Became a rallying point for various nationalist movements

Learning Objectives History of Ireland Prime Minster and responsibilities President and responsibilities Legislation and process of elected and Judiciary-judicial review?

Learning Objectives Cont Northern Ireland Political Parties Relations in Europe/EU Economy Former PMs and major political & historical figures