Description of Electoral System:

(courtesy of IFES election guide)

The President is elected by popular vote to serve a 7-year term. In the Senate (Seanad Eireann), 49 members are elected by the universities and other candidates to serve 5-year terms and 11 members are nominated by the prime minister to serve 5-year terms. In the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) 166 members are elected by popular vote on block lists by proportional representation to serve 5-year terms.

Electoral Systems Snapshot

(Courtesy of International IDEA)

*Click on links for definitions

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Politics of Ireland

(courtesy of wikipedia)

Politics of Ireland (the Republic of Ireland) take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. While there are a number of important political parties in the state, the two largest are Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The state is a member of the European Union. The Uachtarán (President) is the head of state but with limited powers.