ireland

Country information

• EU Constitution
  Binding referendum postponed following the French and Dutch rejections of the EU Constitution (more).
  
  
• The Lisbon Treaty: to be ratified trough a referendum on 12 June 2008.
  
  
• EU Presidency: January-June 2013
  
  
• Government Type: republic, parliamentary democracy
  
  
• Executive Branch
  
  � HEAD OF STATE
  President Mary MCALEESE (since 11 November 1997)
  
  � HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
  Prime Minister Bertie AHERN (since 26 June 1997) 
  
  � MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  Dermot AHERN
  
  
• Legislative branch
  
  � ELECTIONS (SENATE)
  Last elections: 24 May 2007
  Next elections: 2009
  
  � RESULTS (SENATE)
  Fianna Fail - 77 seats
  Fine Gael - 51 seats
  Labour Party - 20 seats
  Green Party - 6 seats
  Sinn Fein - 4 seats
  Progressive Democrats - 2 seats
  
  
• Additional information
  
  � PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
  Last held 31 October 1997 (next scheduled for October 2011); prime minister (Taoiseach) nominated by the House of Representatives and appointed by the president