ABSTRACT
The Irish Republic was formally established in 1922, which makes it one of the newest States within the European Community. Consequently, the Irish Republic has had a massive internal agenda of reorganizing its political and administrative structures, as well as more recently accommodating changes necessitated by membership of the European Community (EC). The Departmental arrangements within the Irish Republic are similar to those found in many other countries, with Agriculture, Environment, Energy, Marine, Foreign Affairs, Forestry Fisheries and Tourism, and Labour being among the more important. One of the more important functions of local authorities in the Irish Republic is to safeguard the public consultation in the system of government. Implementation of EC policy is through three mechanisms in the Irish Republic. The resultant political system has therefore got some similar elements to Britain but also many in common with other EC countries.
