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Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness denies IRA murder charges

The North’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has denied that he had any involvement in the IRA’s decision to abduct, torture and murder two of the most senior Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) Police Officers killed during The Troubles. FULL STORY >

Many New York City voters and the GOP want Commissioner Ray Kelly as mayor

A new poll by the Daily News released yesterday has shown that a majority of New Yorkers strongly approve of the job Raymond Kelly is doing as Police Commissioner, whilst nearly half of them hope that he runs for mayor next year. FULL STORY >

Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins first visit to US this May

The Irish government has announced the first visit to the U.S. by new Irish president Michael D. Higgins to take place in early May. He will speak at the American Ireland Fund dinner in New York on May 3, as well as address the American Irish Historical Society and the Irish Business Network. FULL STORY >

Northern Irish Secretary Owen Paterson says no demand for border poll

Northern Irish Secretary of State Owen Paterson was in Washington, D.C. and New York City last month for a series of high-level meetings with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. FULL STORY >

Sarah Palin laughs in retrospect at historically disastrous Katie Couric interview - VIDEO

The former Governor of Alaska and former vice presidential candidate made a quick and at times slightly awkward visit to NBC's Today Show where she chose to reveal a little of the lighter side of the Thriller from Wasilla. FULL STORY >

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The Republic of Ireland is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. While there are a number of important political parties in the state, Irish politics is dominated by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, historically opposed and competing entities, though both occupy the traditional center ground. The state is a member of the European Union. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the Oireachtas, the bicameral national parliament, which consists of Dail Eireann and Seanad Eireann. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Irish Constitution falls broadly within the liberal democratic tradition. It establishes an independent state based on a system of representative democracy and guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected president, a separation of powers and judicial review. The constitution may only be amended by referendum. Important constitutional referendums have concerned issues such as abortion, the status of the Catholic Church, divorce, and the European Union. The head of state is the President of Ireland. In keeping with the state's parliamentary system of government the President exercises a mainly ceremonial role but does possess certain reserve powers. The presidency is open to all Irish citizens who are at least 35. The President is elected to a seven year term of office and no person may serve more than two terms. Executive authority is exercised by a cabinet known simply as the Government. Article 28 of the Constitution states that the Government may consist of no less than seven and no more than fifteen members, namely the Taoiseach (prime minister), the Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and up to thirteen other ministers. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President, after being nominated by Dail Eireann (the lower house of parliament). The remaining ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and appointed by the President following their approval by the Dail. In Irish politics, the Government must enjoy the confidence of Dail Eireann and, in the event that they cease to enjoy the support of the lower house, the Taoiseach must either resign or request the President to dissolve the Dail, in which case a general election follows. A number of political parties are represented in the Dail and coalition governments are common. Neither of the two largest parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, strongly identifies itself as either a left or right-wing group. The third largest party in the world of Irish politics is the center-left Labor Party. Labor is joined on the left by the Green Party and on the far left by Sinn Fein and the Socialist Party.

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Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness denies IRA murder charges

Many New York City voters and the GOP want Commissioner Ray Kelly as mayor

Ireland’s President Michael D Higgins first visit to US this May

Northern Irish Secretary Owen Paterson says no demand for border poll

Sarah Palin laughs in retrospect at historically disastrous Katie Couric interview - VIDEO

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