Political Issues in Ireland Today

This textbook provides students with an introduction to the issues dominating political debate in the Republic and in Northern Ireland. The authors explore Irish politics in a comparative manner. First they address constitutional issues - reform; Europe; local and regional government; parties and elections - and then move on to discuss public policies - government expenditure; industrial, agricultural and rural development; health and social welfare; and education and the environment. Their analyses suggest that policy responses in the Republic and the North often have much in common; they stem from similar demographic pressures and respond to similar demands from public opinion and European directives. However, in some areas of Irish politics the Republic's approach is very different to that employed in Northern Ireland.