#eirepol

(Information correct at time of writing - 26th January 2025)

Political Offices and Assemblies

Taoiseach (pronounced tee-shock) - the top job, leader of the government. Has to date been held only by two parties. Currently Micheál Martin. Deputy is the Tánaiste (taw-nish-ta) - currently Simon Harris, who was the last Taoiseach and may well be the next one too. Appoints a few dozen ministers and junior ministers to run the government.

President - a largely ceremonial role over here; the head of state, whose job is to neutrally represent Ireland and (mostly) give speeches in hundreds of places. Directly elected every seven years. Currently Michael D. Higgins; due to term limits there'll be a new President at the next election in a few months.

Oireachtas (uh-rock-tas) - the parliament/congress/legislative body of Ireland, which has elections every five years (or sooner if the government falls apart). Consists of the President and two houses:

Dáil Éireann (doyle air-in; usually just the Dáil) - the lower house, and the one with basically all the power. Responsible for electing a Taoiseach, approving their government, and passing budgets. And of course creating and passing laws, in nearly all cases. Directly elected; its members are called TDs (short for Teachta Dála). Presided over by Ceann Comhairle (kyown core-la), a theoretically neutral adjudicator - currently Verona Murphy.

Seanad Éireann (shannad air-in; usually just the Seanad) - the upper house, which has relatively few powers. It can create bills for the Dáil to pass, delay passing of laws and suggest amendments, and that's about it. Elected through a complicated method involving local and national politicians, a couple of universities, and direct nomination by the Taoiseach (this means the government will basically always have a majority). You might be surprised to learn that there are regular calls for its reform or abolition.

Political Parties

Fianna Fáil (fee-na foyle) - the current largest party in government, historically big-tent populists and now settled into the mainstream centre-to-right. Has had the most seats in nearly every Dáil except during the 2010s, when their popularity nosedived following horrific mismanagement of the 2008 financial crisis. Currently led by Micheál Martin (also the Taoiseach).

Sinn Féin (shin fane) - the main opposition party, and an uncommon example of a nationalist-populist party which is also left-wing. Historically tied to the Irish Republican Army (IRA), a pro-Irish reunification paramilitary which participated in terrorism during Northern Ireland's Troubles period. This ended with their disarmament near the millennium following the Good Friday Agreement, and the party have transformed themselves into a major political force north and south of the Irish border. Currently led by Mary Lou McDonald.

Fine Gael (finna gale) - the other major governing coalition partner, who have been members of every government for almost fifteen years. For decades competed with Fianna Fáil to form governments, before the two began to govern together by the end of the 2010s. Both parties have also become close in ideology in recent years; previously Fine Gael were regarded as moderate conservatives with very slight progressive influences. Though its impact on the party disappeared quickly, they also have never lived down that Ireland's first fascist movement (the Blueshirts) were among their co-founders. Currently led by Simon Harris.

Labour - centre-left party which has frequently been a junior coalition partner over the years. While never large enough to lead the government, on several occasions its candidates for President have been elected. Has ebbed and flowed in popularity for years, often suffering sharp declines following time in government due to highly compromising its policies. Currently led by Ivana Bacik.

Social Democrats - another centre-left party, formed in 2015 by former Labour and independent TDs. Has a less established but younger and fast-growing support base [full disclosure: myself included ::) ]. Currently led by Holly Cairns.

Independent Ireland - again a newer party, this time a right-wing and pro-rural one. Formed from independents (surprise!) in 2023 and led by Michael Collins. No, not that one. No, not that other one either.

People Before Profit-Solidarity - an alliance of several anti-capitalist parties/movements, which mainly coalesced from protests over water charges in and around 2014. Generally considered the furthest left of the parties in the Dáil. While averse to naming a leader of the alliance for fear of splitting again, its de facto leader is Richard Boyd Barrett.

Aontú (ain-too) - a party formed and led by Peadar Tóibín, formerly of Sinn Féin, over his opposition to abortion (which was only legalised here in 2018; they formed in 2019). They have much the same nationalist tendencies as Sinn Féin but with a conservative bent.

Green Party - environmentalist party just left of centre. Like Labour, they have been through the cycle repeatedly of going into government, facing electoral drubbing and gradually recovering. Currently led by Roderic O'Gorman.

And then there are the independents - the system of election here in Ireland allows for non-party politicians to gain prominence. Naturally, their viewpoints vary from left to right, though many rely on localism for their support in elections. Over the years, many governments have either included or been supported by numbers of independents - this is true of the current one, which includes several in junior minister roles.