At stake in this Referendum:
- The ratification of the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement (Nineteenth Amendment) and the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty (Eighteenth Amendment).
Description of government structure:
- Chief of State: President Mary MCALEESE
- Head of Government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN
- Assembly: Ireland has a bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consisting of the Senate (Seanad Eireann) with 60 seats and the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) with 166 seats.
Main provisions in the Referendum:
- Referendum on Northern Ireland Peace Agreement
The referenda calls for the creation of a new independent assembly in Northern Ireland.
The new assembly will be comprised of 108 members directly elected by proportional representation.
The agreement allows for the creation of a North-South Ministerial Council which would give the governments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland joint responsibility in certain areas which may include tourism, transportation, and the environment.
The agreement allows for the creation of a British-Irish Council to bring together representatives of the British and Irish governments at regular intervals.
- A simple majority vote is required in both referenda for ratification of the agreement.
Population and number of registered voters:
- Population: 3,712,696 (1998)
- Registered Voters: 2,741,262 (1998)
· Female Population: 1,868,099 (1998)
· Is Ireland a signatory to CEDAW: No
· Has Ireland ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (23 December 1985)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: N/A
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 20 (House of Representatives); 11 (Senate) (following the 1997 elections)
· Human Development Index Position: 6 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A
· Is Ireland a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)
· Has Ireland ratified CRPD: No
· Population with a disability: 556,904 (est.)