Ireland
The Republic of Ireland exhibits high performance across all categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework. It is among the top 25 per cent in the world in terms of its performance in all but three factors: Electoral Participation, Local Democracy, and Inclusive Suffrage. Ireland has rebounded from low- to mid-performance in Electoral Participation during 2018 and 2019, and has not made any other significant advances or declines over the past five years. In terms of its economic performance, Ireland has an advanced knowledge economy and attracts a significant amount of foreign direct investment. Although it has the most redistributive tax and transfer system of any OECD member, Ireland remains moderately unequal with regard to income inequality and material deprivation has significantly increased in recent years.
The island of Ireland was partitioned in 1921 following the Irish War of Independence, with Northern Ireland becoming part of the United Kingdom and the Irish Free State evolving into the Republic of Ireland in 1949. While the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area largely formalized reconciliation between the Irish and British governments and peoples, the topic of unification has re-emerged in Irish political discourse. Irish politics has long been dominated by the centre-right; however, class-based voting and a left-right divide have appeared in a country typically distinguished instead by conservatism-liberalism. This has occurred amid the lasting aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, rising cost of living, and challenges in healthcare and housing. Referenda are frequently used in Ireland as a decision-making tool, including on social issues—leading to the legalization of same-sex marriage and the repeal of a near-total ban on abortion, but rejecting changes to the constitutional definition of family and a woman’s role. Access to abortion remains a concern in the Catholic-majority country; an independent review recommended significant reforms to the Termination of Pregnancy Act. Although inequalities remain, the GSoD Indices show that Ireland has made steady progress on Gender Equality since its inception in 1975, moving from mid- to high-performing as the first gender equality legislation and gender mainstreaming were introduced and adopted. Recent and proposed legislation seek to address the gender pay gap, and a payment scheme has been introduced to address the mother-and-baby homes scandal.
Ireland is home to a significant foreign-born population, the largest group of whom are Polish and British citizens, and just under a quarter of the population identify with an ethnic group other than White Irish. In response to studies underlining that racism and “ever-present discrimination” are enduring problems in Ireland, the government adopted an independently developed National Action Plan Against Racism. In 2017, it recognized the Irish Traveller community – a group facing “significant barriers to equality” – as an indigenous ethnic minority and accepted 17 recommendations on strengthening their rights.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch whether declines in perceived political efficacy and trust have a secondary effect on Electoral Participation. Basic Welfare is also a factor to pay attention to, as the crisis in housing availability worsens and the pension system comes under pressure. The housing crisis also significantly affects asylum seekers, making Social Group Equality another area to watch. The hate crime bill and new legislation on facial recognition technology, which seek to redress increasing anti-immigration and refugee sentiments, also have the potential to affect Social Group Equality, depending on their implementation and balance with Freedom of Expression and Personal Integrity and Security. Over a longer time horizon, it will be important to follow how discourse over Irish unification progresses with generational shifts and Brexit likely to play a part.
Last updated: 18 June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
August 2024
Landmark ruling finds government violated asylum seekers' rights
On 1 August, the High Court ruled that the Irish government's failure to meet the basic needs of asylum seekers violated its legal obligations under Article 1 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The judgment followed a case brought by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) against the State, marking the first time IHREC exercised its legal authority. However, the Court acknowledged the government's significant efforts to fulfill its responsibilities in providing asylum accommodation. The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) emphasized the ruling's importance, not only for the outcome but also for its analysis of the State's practical response. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) urged the government to take immediate action to ensure accommodation for all asylum seekers. Amid a housing crisis, homelessness among asylum seekers has become a significant issue, and hostilities against asylum seekers have increased.
Sources: Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, British Broadcasting Corporation, Jurist, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2)
March 2024
Irish voters reject constitutional changes
Ireland held two referendums on 8 March, one to change the family amendment and one to change the care amendment in the constitution. Proponents of these amendments, including all parliamentary parties except the social conservative Aontú, argued that the wording in the constitution is outdated. The proposed revisions aimed to broaden the definition of family to encompass "marriage and other enduring relationships" instead of solely marriage, and to eliminate a mention of a mother's "duties in the home" from the care amendment. The voter turnout was 44.4 per cent and the referendums were both rejected by an overwhelming majority, with 67.7 per cent voting no to the family referendum and 73.9 per cent voting no to the care referendum. The changes were criticized for being too vague. Shortly after the referendum, on 20 March, the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar resigned, citing personal and political reasons. He was succeeded by party colleague Simon Harris.
Sources: BBC (1), The Conversation (1), BBC (2), The Electoral Commission, The Conversation (2), The Conversation (3), Department of the Taoiseach
January 2024
Hostilities against asylum seekers increase
More than 750 asylum seekers in Ireland have been forced to sleep on the streets due to a shortage of accommodation, while establishments intending to house them have encountered threats, protests, and arson attacks. The increasing hostilities have intensified over the past year, fueled by the conflict in Ukraine, which has prompted an influx of asylum seekers to Ireland, combined by an ongoing housing crisis. The Irish Network Against Racism (INAR) cautioned that the country is nearing a critical juncture in its treatment of asylum seekers. In 2023, there were 15 arson attacks directed at facilities designated for asylum seekers. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has expressed grave concern over these attacks, pledging arrests and stressing the imperative to address the situation.
Sources: The Irish Times, BBC News, The Conversation, Twitter
May 2023
EU Commissioner raises concerns over asylum-seekers’ treatment and homelessness
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, sent a letter to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman, and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien regarding homelessness among asylum-seekers, requesting a “whole of government approach.” The Commissioner stated the country may not be complying with minimum requirements set under the European Convention on Human Rights, raised the issue of unequal treatment between Ukrainian and other asylum-seekers, and warned that the housing crisis could fuel growing anti-refugee sentiment. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded that there has been continued work to address the issue but admitted that the existing conditions “fall short of what is required.” Recently, there have been increased reports of asylum-seekers’ substandard living conditions and years of limbo due to the long waiting times for application decisions. The country has seen arson attacks on asylum-seekers and blocked roads to prevent them from accessing accommodation centers.
Sources: Irish Times, Council of Europe, Cable News Network, Financial Times
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
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Global State of Democracy Indices
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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