FORMALITIES
Conventional Long Form - Ireland
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Capital City - Dublin
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Date of Independence - December 6, 1921
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National Holiday - Saint Patrick's Day (March 17)
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GOVERNMENT
Type of Government - Parliamentary Republic
Executive Branch
Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the Prime Minister, appointed by the President, approved by the Lower House of Parliament
Elections/ Appointments: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term);
taoiseach nominated by the House of Representatives, appointed by the president
Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the Prime Minister, appointed by the President, approved by the Lower House of Parliament
Elections/ Appointments: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term);
taoiseach nominated by the House of Representatives, appointed by the president
Legislative Branch
Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate - 60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected by panels of various vocational interests, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by graduates of the University of Dublin and the National University of Ireland. The House of Representatives - 158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote.
Terms: Senate - 5 years. House of Representatives - 5 years.
Bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate - 60 seats; 43 members indirectly elected by panels of various vocational interests, 11 appointed by the prime minister, and 6 elected by graduates of the University of Dublin and the National University of Ireland. The House of Representatives - 158 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote.
Terms: Senate - 5 years. House of Representatives - 5 years.
Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court of Ireland consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members - the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal - and is organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law.
There is also the High Court, Court of Appeal, circuit and district courts, and criminal courts.
The Supreme Court of Ireland consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members - the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal - and is organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law.
There is also the High Court, Court of Appeal, circuit and district courts, and criminal courts.
Suffrage - Any person who is over 18 may vote.
AMBASSADORS
The Irish ambassador to the US is Anne Anderson; she lives at 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC. The Irish have consulates in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.
The American ambassador to Ireland is Kevin O'Malley; he lives at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The Americans have no consulates presently.
David Donoghue is the Irish representative to the UN.
PRIDE
The green of the Irish flag represents the Gaelic (Nationalist) tradition; orange represents the Orange (William of Orange) tradition; white is for the peace between the two.
The national symbols of Ireland are the shamrock, the harp, and the Celtic cross; their colors are blue and green.
DISPUTES AND OTHER BAD STUFF
International Disputes - Ireland and Northern Ireland are still fighting over religion, Roman Catholic vs. Protestant, respectively.
Ireland, the UK, and Denmark argue about the Law of the Sea in regards to Denmark's Faroe Islands' continental shelf markings.
Ireland, the UK, and Denmark argue about the Law of the Sea in regards to Denmark's Faroe Islands' continental shelf markings.
Refugees - Ireland has 99 stateless peeps.
Human Trafficking - There is about one person per week in Ireland that is identified as a human trafficking victim; in fact, there is also some low-key slavery occurring, as labor exploitation is actually a problem there. There are up to 1000 women in off-street sex trading in Ireland currently; up to 97% of these are migrant women. Trafficking conditions are quite horrible, with coercion and threats being made not only to the person but also to their family. Many women are placed in ads online, constantly moving, and are often tied in by debt bondage.
Drug Use - Ireland is a transshipment point for many synthetic drugs. There is also an increasing consumption of cocaine. Money laundering is also a concern in Ireland.