Ireland Government

The Government of Ireland is a Parliamentary Republic whereby it operates under the parliamentary system of government where it (executive branch) is answerable to the Parliament (legislature). The constitution gives executive authority to the Taoiseach, the head of government.

The Irish election system is based on the Single Transferable Vote (STV) which is a voting system that aims to achieve proportional representation in constituencies or multi-seat organizations. Citizens over 18 years are eligible to vote in all national elections and referendums. Fianna Fail is the main government party having reigned for the last 13 years. The President of Ireland is elected for a term of 7years and cannot serve for more than two terms. However the Prime Minister for this country has not been limited on the terms they can run as long as they have the support of a majority in the lower house (Dail).

The parliament house is located at College Green in Dublin. It was built in 1729 and rebuilt in 1796. The President lives in Aras an Uachtarain, Leinster which serves as a venue for formal state occasions as well as a family home for the President. The Taoiseach has no official residence and usually lives at an apartment in Dublin or their own residential home.

Ireland has four main political parties: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, the Greens and Sinn Fein.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

More on Graphicmaps

Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Dublin
Languages	English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 38.7% of the population as a first or second language in 2011; mainly spoken in areas along the western coast)
Ethnic Groups	Irish 84.5%, other white 9.8%, Asian 1.9%, black 1.4%, mixed and other 0.9%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)
Religion	Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.)
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)
Area	70,273.00 km²
Water Area	1,390.00 km²
Land Area	68,883.00 km²
Population	4,952,473.00 Population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest agglomeration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities
Location	Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain
No. Bordering Countries	1
Bordering Countries	UK 443 km
GDP(PPP)	$322,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$69,400.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are machinery and equipment, computers, and chemicals.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, and chemicals.
Climate	Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time
Terrain	Mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast
Learn More	Ireland

Ireland Government

More on Graphicmaps

What is a Trade Embargo?

Which Two Countries Used to Have the Same Flag?

What Is the Only Two-Sided State Flag?

Which Country Flag Looks Like the Texas Flag?

Flags That Resemble the US Flag

What is Demography?