Democracy in Ireland

The Oireachtais Government & Opposition

Political Parties&

Electoral System

President of Ireland

Michael D. Higgins

The Government of the Republic of Ireland2011 -

Fine Gael & Labour Party Coalition

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

(Leader of Fine Gael)

Tánaiste &

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Eamon Gilmore (Leader of Labour Party)

Minister for Finance

Michael Noonan (FG)

Minister for Education & Skills

Ruairi Quinn (Labour Party)

Minister for Communications,

Energy and Natural Resources

Pat Rabbitte(Labour Party)

Minister for Justice

Alan Shatter (FG)

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport

Leo Varadkar (FG)

Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform

Brendan Howlin (Labour Party)

Minister for Jobs, Entreprise & Innovation

Richard Bruton (FG)

Minister for Health

James Reilly (FG)

Minister for Social Protection

Joan Burton (Labour Party)

Minister for Children & Youth Affairs

Frances Fitzgerald (FG)

Minister for Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht

Jimmy Deenihan (FG)

Minister for Environment, Community and Local

Government

Phil Hogan (FG)

Minister for Agriculture, Food &

the MarineSimon Coveney (FG)

- FIANNA FÁIL

- SINN FÉIN

- SOCIALIST PARTY

- INDEPENDENT TDS

The Opposition

Fianna Fáil Leader

• Michael Martin (T.D.)

Sinn Féin Leader

• Gerry Adams (T.D.)

Socialist Party

• Joe O’Higgins (T.D.)

Independent TDs

The Oireachtais

The Oireachtais consists of:

• The President • Dáil Eireann • Seanad Eireann

Dáil Eireann

• 166 TDs

• 43 Constituencies

• Ceann Comhairle:

Sean Barrett T.D.

Seanad Eireann

60 Senators are appointed as follows:

• 11 by the Taoiseach

• 3 by Trinity College Dublin

• 3 by NUI (National

Universities of Ireland)

• 43 elected by County Councils & Vocational Committees

Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke

Elections

• General Election: held every 5 years

• Presidential Election: held every 7 years

• European Elections: held every 5 years

• By-Election: held when a sitting TD resigns or dies

• Local Election: held every 5 years (in May or

June)

Party Logosin

The Republic of Ireland

Fine Gael

Labour Party

Fianna Fáil

Sinn Féin

Socialist Party