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Political Parties

Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. The Progressive Democrats, Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.

The Soldiers of Destiny – The Republican Party / Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach, led by Micheál MARTIN won 20 seats in the 25 February 2011 election. Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party had 79 elected members in the Dáil (elected in June 2007) and 4 elected Members of the European Parliament. It operates as part of the 'Union for Europe' group in the European Parliament. It describes itself as a broadly centrist party whose aims include securing, in peace and agreement, the unity and independence of Ireland, and the development of a distinct national life in accordance with the diverse traditions of the Irish people. It has been the largest party in Dáil Éireann since 1932, and has formed the government seven times since Ireland gained independence in 1921.

The Family of the Irish / Fine Gael led by Enda KENNY won 76 seats in the 25 February 2011 election. Fine Gael, was the second largest party in 2007, had 51 elected members in the Dáil (elected in June 2007) and 5 elected Members of the European Parliament. It describes itself as the party of the "progressive centre", with core values focused on fiscal rectitude, free enterprise and reward, individual rights and responsibilities. They are strongly pro-EU integration and operate as part of the European People's Party in the European Parliament. Enda Kenny became Fine Gael Leader in 2002 and immediately embarked on a campaign to revitalise the Party, which bore fruit at every subsequent election. Fine Gael went on to become the biggest Irish Party in the European Parliament and in local government.

The Labour Party / Páirtí an Lucht Oibre, led by Eamon GILMORE, won 37 seats in the 25 February 2011 election. The Labour Party is affiliated to the Socialist International Party and is a member of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Parliament. It seeks to build a society free from deprivation and based on the principles of democracy, equity, participation and co-operation. In 1999, the Labour Party absorbed the smaller party of the Democratic Left, bringing its total number of seats in the Dail to 21.

The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas, led by John GORMLEY, won no seats in the 25 February 2011 election. The Green Party is a political party associated with Green Parties in over 30 other countries. It stands for protection of the environment, community decision-making, freedom of information, open government and peace through disarmament. The Green Party motto is 'Think Globally, Act Locally'. The Party is represented at local, national and European Parliament level. By 2009 the Green Party was the Irish government's junior coalition partner, because Fianna Fail did not have a majority of the Dail's members. The Green Party was stuck between some of its more strident members, who complain that the leadership had strayed from the Party's ideals, and the exigencies of governing.

By mid 2009 the Fianna Fail/Green Party coalition recorded the lowest satisfaction rating of any Irish government since polling began in the early 1980s. According to a 29 May 2009 Irish Times poll, only 12 percent of those polled were satisfied with the government. Support for Fine Gael, the main opposition party, was at 36 percent. Fianna Fail's support stood at 20 percent. The Green Party's support was three percent. Prime Minister Brian Cowen's approval rating was 21 percent. The coalition still held a majority of four seats, but with the Greens holding six and the Independents holding five, a defection by either group could bring down the government. The Labour Party's support of 23 percent was particularly significant because Fianna Fail -- for the first time in the Republic's 87 history -- was the third most popular party.

Sinn Féin, led by Gerry ADAMS, won 14 seats in the 25 February 2011 election. Sinn Féin is an Irish republican party. Its objectives are the reunification of Ireland, political independence and national sovereignty. Sinn Fein comes in fourth among Irish political parties at best, far behind the two principal parties, and holding only one-fifth the number of Irish parliament seats held by the pro-Lisbon Labour Party. Unlike Sinn Fein's nearest competitor in terms of percentage of vote, the pro-Lisbon Greens who were in the government, Sinn Fein is also without a realistic prospect of participation in a governing coalition.

The Progressive Democrats was established with the aim of providing Ireland with a modern, forward-looking liberal party in the European mould and is working to develop the role of the State in the economic and social life of the country.

Another anti-Lisbon party on the Left, the Socialist Party, held no Irish parliament seats as of 2009 and was represented in the European Parliament by only one MEP.