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Anti-Abortion protest fizzles as Irish leader speaks at Boston College

An anti abortion protest against Irish leader Enda Kenny fizzled badly at Boston College where he delivered the commencement address on Monday and received an honorary degree. FULL STORY >

Enda Kenny rejects Dublin Archbishop's claims that new abortion law gives less rights to unborn - VIDEO

Irish leader Enda Kenny has rejected claims made by the Archbishop of Dublin that the proposed new abortion bill for Ireland will give less rights to an unborn child especially in cases where terminations are allowed because of suicide fears for the mother. FULL STORY >

Irish PM Enda Kenny pays tribute to our own ‘green man’ as Chris Hadfield returns from Space

Taoiseach Enda Kenny recently praised astronaut Chris Hadfield for his pictures of Ireland taken from Space. FULL STORY >

After 15 years, what are the challenges ahead for the Good Friday Agreement

It's the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, and a top-level public symposium has been announced for May 23 in New York City to reflect on the successes and challenges that lie ahead to secure lasting peace in the North. FULL STORY >

Cardinal O’Malley’s grave mistake in boycotting Enda Kenny’s Boston College speech

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston has made a grave error condemning Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny on abortion and boycotting his commencement speech at Boston College next Monday. 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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