Ireland
Ireland is high-performing in all categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) Framework. It is amongst the top 25 per cent of countries regarding its performance in all but three factors: Inclusive Suffrage, Local Democracy, and Electoral Participation. Whilst Ireland is mid-performing in the latter, it has not experienced any significant advances or declines at the category- or factor-level between 2019-2024. In terms of its economic performance, Ireland has a high-income economy that attracts a significant amount of foreign direct investment and has rebounded from the 2008 financial crisis. Despite being a high-performing country in Economic Equality—owing to a redistributive tax and transfer system—Ireland faces growing challenges as a result of its housing crisis, ageing population, and rise in material deprivation amongst under-18s.
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. Whilst the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area formalized reconciliation between the Irish and British, the topic of unification has re-emerged in political discourse. The legacy of British rule has shaped Ireland’s foreign and defence policy today, including its military neutrality. Domestically, Irish politics has long been dominated by the center-right; however, a left-right divide, albeit electorally short-lived thus far, has appeared in a country typically distinguished instead by conservatism-liberalism. Home to a significant foreign-born population, immigration has risen as an issue area. The government is implementing its National Action Plan Against Racism in response to reported discrimination–structural and individual–against minority groups, including Irish Travellers (a distinct ethnic group). Whilst the second phase of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy is underway, high levels of anti-Traveller prejudice persist.
Ireland has made steady progress on Gender Equality and LGBTQIA+ rights, with the former moving from mid- to high-performing on the GSoD Indices since the first related legislation was introduced. Historically intersecting with religion in the Catholic-majority country, advancements have been made through Ireland’s use of referenda as a decision-making tool, which has led to the legalization of same-sex marriage and a repeal on the near-total ban on abortion. However, proposed changes to the constitutional definition of family and a woman’s role were rejected and access to abortion services remains an issue. Ireland is also confronted with redressing the gender pay gap, gender-based violence, and the mother-and-baby homes scandal.
Looking ahead, it is important to watch Basic Welfare and Economic Equality, as Ireland grapples with the housing crisis and other socio-economic pressures. As these challenges intersect, with asylum seekers also struggling to have their housing needs met, Social Group Equality is another area to watch. Given Ireland’s continuing mid-range performance in Electoral Participation and declines in perceptions of political efficacy, how such grievances are channelled should be monitored—particularly following the Dublin riots and arson attacks against asylum accommodation facilities. Whilst measures to redress anti-immigrant and -refugee sentiment, including hate crime legislation, may positively affect Social Group Equality, others—such as the deployment of Facial Recognition Technology—ought to be followed for an undue impact on Civil Liberties and Predictable Enforcement. Over a longer time horizon, how discourse and opinions over Irish unification progress should be watched.
Last updated: May 2025
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November 2024
Centre-right Fianna Fáil wins early general elections
Ireland held early general elections on 29 November, after Prime Minister Simon Harris announced a snap election in a bid to secure another term for his Fine Gael party, which has been in office since 2011, and in a three-party coalition in the last mandate. Out of the 174 seats of the Dáil Éireann (Assembly), Fianna Fáil won 48 seats with a vote share of 21.9 per cent. The Sinn Féin party secured 39 seats, with a vote share of 19 per cent, and the Fine Gael secured 38 seats, with a vote share of 20.8 per cent. Voter turnout declined from 62.7 per cent in 2020 to 59.7 per cent in 2024. Despite the highest number of female candidates (246 out of 686) registered in Irish general elections, only 44 were elected. Women will make up just over 25 per cent of the new legislature—a modest increase from 23 per cent in the previous legislature, but still one of the lowest proportions of female MPs in Western Europe.
Sources: Raidió Teilifís Éireann, British Broadcasting Corporation (1), British Broadcasting Corporation (2), Financial Times, Politico, International IDEA, Inter-Parliamentary Union, The Guardian, The Times
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
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