Revised and updated, this is the third edition of a book that has been the standard work on Irish politics since 1970. Several chapters have been rewritten to take account of the rapid and considerable changes in Irish life and society and a new chapter examines the impact upon the government of membership of the European Community. The book starts with chapters on the context of politics. It identifies basic influences that have shaped traditional politics in independent Ireland, and assesses the nature and extent of the ongoing changes brought about by urbanization, industrialization, membership of the European Community and modernization generally. It is aimed at students of Irish government and politics, both in Ireland and overseas. It should also be of value to third year students of government, comparative government and political science.