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IRELAND
Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as chief of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the President is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body.
The bicameral Oireachtas consists of the Seanad Eireann (senate) and the Dail Eireann (house of representatives). The Seanad is composed of 60 members--11 nominated by the prime minister, six elected by the national universities, and 43 elected from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. lected to a maximum 5-year term under a complex system of proportional representation. |
| CURRENT GOVERNMENT |
| President |
McAleese, Mary |
| Prime Minister |
Ahern, Bertie |
| Dep. Prime Min. |
Harney, Mary |
| Min. for Agriculture and Food |
Walsh, Joe |
| Min. for Arts, Sport, and Tourism |
O'Donoghue, John |
| Min. for Communications, Marine, and Natural Resources |
Ahern, Dermot |
| Min. for Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs |
O'Cuiv, Eamon |
| Min. for Defense |
Smith, Michael |
| Min. for Education and Science |
Dempsey, Noel |
| Min. for Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
Harney, Mary |
| Min. for Environment & Local Government |
Cullen, Martin |
| Min. for Finance |
McCreevy, Charlie |
| Min. for Foreign Affairs |
Cowen, Brian |
| Min. for Health & Children |
Martin, Micheal |
| Min. for Justice, Equality & Law Reform |
McDowell, Michael |
| Min. for Social & Family Affairs |
Coughlan, Mary |
| Min. for Transport |
Brennan, Seamus |
| Attorney General |
Brady, Rory |
| Governor, Central Bank of Ireland |
O'Connell, Maurice |
| Ambassador to the US |
Fahey, Noel |
| Permanent Representative to the UN, New York |
Ryan, Richard |
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