Changes

The President is largely a ceremonial figure. He or she represents Ireland at important events, and makes state visits to other heads of state on a regular basis. He or she is also responsible for signing bills into law, though beyond this he or she does not have any political power. The President resides in ''Arás an Uachtaráin'' (a-raws on ook-ti-rawn, literally, "The President's House") in Phoenix Park, [[Dublin]].

The President is largely a ceremonial figure. He or she represents Ireland at important events, and makes state visits to other heads of state on a regular basis. He or she is also responsible for signing bills into law, though beyond this he or she does not have any political power. The President resides in ''Arás an Uachtaráin'' (a-raws on ook-ti-rawn, literally, "The President's House") in Phoenix Park, [[Dublin]].

The current President of Ireland is [[Mary McAleese]], who was first elected in 1997. She was re-elected without contest in 2004, and her term expires in 2011.

The current President of Ireland is [[Michael D. Higgins]], who was elected in 2011.

==Presidents of Ireland==

==Presidents of Ireland==

|8

|8

|[[Mary McAleese]]

|[[Mary McAleese]]

|1997 -  

|1997 - 2011

|Fíanna Fáil / Independent

|Fíanna Fáil / Independent

|

|

|-

|-

[[Category:Ireland]][[Category:Irish People]]

[[Category:Ireland]][[Category:Irish People]]