1. Democracy in Ireland The Oireachtais Government & Opposition Political Parties & Electoral System

2. President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins

3. The Government of the Republic of Ireland 2011 - Fine Gael & Labour Party Coalition

4. Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Leader of Fine Gael)

5. Tánaiste & Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore (Leader of Labour Party)

6. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan (FG)

7. Minister for Education & Skills Ruairi Quinn (Labour Party)

8. Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte (Labour Party)

9. Minister for Justice Alan Shatter (FG)

10. Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar (FG)

11. Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform Brendan Howlin (Labour Party)

12. Minister for Jobs, Entreprise & Innovation Richard Bruton (FG)

13. Minister for Health James Reilly (FG)

14. Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton (Labour Party)

15. Minister for Children & Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald (FG)

16. Minister for Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan (FG)

17. Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan (FG)

18. Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney (FG)

19. - FIANNA FÁIL - SINN FÉIN - SOCIALIST PARTY - INDEPENDENT TDS The Opposition

20. Fianna Fáil Leader Michael Martin (T.D.)

21. Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams (T.D.)

22. Socialist Party Joe O’Higgins (T.D.)

23. Independent TDs

24. The Oireachtais The Oireachtais consists of: The President Dáil Eireann Seanad Eireann

25. Dáil Eireann 166 TDs 43 Constituencies Ceann Comhairle: Sean Barrett T.D.

26. Seanad Eireann 60 Senators are appointed as follows: 11 by the Taoiseach 3 by Trinity College Dublin 3 by NUI (National Universities of Ireland) 43 elected by County Councils & Vocational Committees Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke

27. Elections General Election: held every 5 years Presidential Election: held every 7 years European Elections: held every 5 years By-Election: held when a sitting TD resigns or dies Local Election: held every 5 years (in May or June)

28. Party Logos in The Republic of Ireland

29. Fine Gael

30. Labour Party

31. Fianna Fáil

32. Sinn Féin

33. Socialist Party