Search Results for 'head of state'

The relationship between Ireland and Britain is “a friendly, co-operative partnership based on mutual respect, reciprocal benefit, and deep and indelible personal links”.

The Galway Albanian community the Irish Friends of Albania group will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Albanian Independence this week.

The role of the President of Ireland is not one that is aloof or removed from day to day life, but a position which can allow the head of state the “freedom to address issues which are not being addressed”.

A “dictator” is a head of state who exercises arbitrary authority over the lives of his citizens and who cannot be removed from power through legal means. Kim Jong-Il of North Korea, Than Shew of Burma and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe are all dictators. They rule not because they have the approval of their citizens but because they want to rule. Brian Cowen’s democratic credentials are becoming increasingly suspect in this regard. This is a worrying development because the Taoiseach should be committed to democracy by its definition and not just on his own terms.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is in Mayo today to officiate at a number of celebratory events taking place in the area including the launch of a brand new €7 million campus for two treasured special schools in Ballina. Mr Cowen is due to arrive at 12 noon and to remain in the north Mayo area for a number of hours where he will first raise the Green Flag at Carha National School in Bonniconlon before launching the official opening of St Dymphna’s and St Nicholas’ Special Schools. Both Western Care funded schools have been operating successfully for some years and are now celebrating the move into state-of-the-art new premises.

On Tuesday, the US celebrated a major milestone in its history with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the first African-American to become that country’s president.