Politics in the Republic of Ireland is now available in a fully revised fourth edition. Building on the success of the previous three editions, this text continues to provide an authoritative introduction to all aspects of politics in the Republic of Ireland. Written by some of the foremost experts on Irish politics, it explains, analyzes and interprets the background to Irish government and contemporary political processes. Crucially, it brings the student up-to-date with the very latest developments. New patterns of government formation, challenges to the established political parties, ever-deepening, if sometimes ambivalent, involvement in the process of European integration, a growing role in the politics of Northern Ireland and sustained discussion of gender issues are among these developments – along with evidence, revealed by several tribunals of enquiry, that Irish politics is not as free of corruption as many had assumed.