Human development index (HDI), an index based on life expectancy, education and GDP (max. 1)
0.899
World rank in HDI
11
Key economic sectors (% of GDP in 2002)
Services (72.5); industry (26.1); agriculture (1.4) (2013)
Leading Companies
Ryanair Holdings (US$16·4bn.); Bank of Ireland (US$12·3bn.); and Kerry Group, a chilled food manufacturer (US$11·8bn.)
Unemployment in 2014
10.7% (2014)
Main religious denominations (numbers in millions)
Roman Catholics (3.86 m); Church of Ireland (including Protestants), (0.3m); Muslims (0.05m) (2011)
Political system
The President’s role is largely ceremonial, but s/he does have the power to refer legislation which might infringe the Constitution to the Supreme Court. The National Parliament is bicameral, with a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Electoral system
The House of Representatives is elected by the Single Transferable Vote system. The Senate is composed of 60 members, 11 of whom are chosen by the prime minister, six by the universities, and the remainders by five panels convened to represent public interests in culture, agriculture, labour, industry and commerce, and social services.
Current (March 2017) leaders
President: Michael Daniel Higgins (b. 1941), since November 2011 Prime Minister: Enda Kenny (b.1951), since March 2011
Previous leaders:
Presidents: Mary McAleese (1997-2011); Mary Robinson (1990-1997)
Prime Ministers: Brian Cowen (2008-2011); Bertie Ahern (1997-2008)
Joined the EU/EC
1973
Commissioner from country in Barroso II College of Commissioners, and portfolio
Maire Geoghegan-Quinn (Research, Innovation and Science)
Number of MEPs
11
Turnout in 2014 EP elections
51% (58.6% in 2009)
Member of eurozone
Yes
Except where a specific reference is inserted, the sources for this profile are either Neill Nugent’s book itself, or Barry Turner (ed.), The Statesman’s Yearbook Online, Basingstoke and New York: Palgrave Macmillan. If your library subscribes, you can gain access at http://www.statesmansyearbook.com
