ABSTRACT
Ireland is a parliamentary democracy which, until 1921, was a full, if not fully integrated part of the United Kingdom. In 1921, 26 of the 32 counties achieved effective independence and since 1949 Ireland is a republic. Ireland's legislative institutions or Oireachtas consist of two Houses (Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann) and the Presidency. 1 For legislation to become law it must be passed by both Houses and then enacted by the President (see Mitchell 2003 for a good overview of the Irish political system)
