Fianna Fáil	Traditionally largest single party in Ireland;
			formed by De Valera at the end of the civil war;
			literally translated "soldiers of destiny" (from
			some words in the national anthem).  Pronounced
			roughly "Fee-na FOIL".  Often abbreviated "FF".

	Fine Gael	The "other" big civil war party and traditional
			enemy of Fianna Fáil.  Pronounced roughly
			"Finn-nu GALE".  Often abbreviated "FG".

	Labour Party	Like British counterpart an evolving socialist
			party in a post-socialist world

	Progressive	Originally an anti-Haughey splinter from Fianna Fáil;
	 Democrats	now their most likely partners in government;
			right-wing economically, liberal on social issues

	PDs		Abbreviation for Progressive Democrats

	Democratic Left	left-wing party with roots going back to "Official"
			Sinn Féin in the early seventies

	Sinn Féin	(Today) a party with close ties to the IRA that gets
			most of its support in Northern Ireland; literally
			translated "we ourselves".  Pronounced roughly
			"Shin FEIGN".

	Shinner		Supporter of Sinn Féin

	32CSC		"Thirty two County Sovereignty Committee";
			Republican committee critical of GFA and
			associated peace process

	Republican	Formed after a 1986 split when Sinn Féin voted
	Sinn Féin	to take up seats in the Dáil

	Green Party	like other parties of its kind in Europe, focuses
			mainly on environmental issues

	Bunreacht na	the Irish Constitution; mostly written by de Valera
	hÉireann	in 1937; amended several times through referendum;
			articles two and three claim whole island and are
			therefore disliked by Unionists

	CJH		Charles J. Haughey; veteran FF politician,
			Taoiseach many times during the eighties;
			came back from disgrace being dismissed from
			cabinet after Arms Trial (built up grassroots
			support by doing the "rubber chicken" circuit
			while in exile); always controversial and
			ruthless in power; retired while going was
			good but got caught up in corruption scandal
			and tribunals later

	CCOB		Conor Cruise O'Brien; after career in Irish
			civil service, including spell at UN became
			Labour TD, later journalist and writer;
			famous for outspoken op-ed pieces in Saturday
			editions of Indo; joined UKUP and stood as
			a candidate in NI

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