At stake in this Referendum:

• The referendum asked voters to decide whether to amend the constitution to allow abortions only in cases where the mother's life is in danger

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Mary MCALEESE
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Bertie AHERN
• Assembly: Ireland has a bicameral Parliament (Oireachtas) consisting of the Senate (Seanad Eireann) with 60 seats and the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) with 166 seats.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Referendum to amend law on abortions*

* The main aim of the referendum was to rule out the threat of suicide by the mother as grounds for an abortion.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 3,931,347 (2002)
• Registered Voters: 3,002,173 (2002)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 1,972,661 (2002)

·         Is Ireland a signatory to CEDAW: No

·         Has Ireland ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (23 December 1985)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 22 (House of Representatives); 10 (Senate) (following the 2002 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 6 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is Ireland a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)

·         Has Ireland ratified CRPD: No

·         Population with a disability: 589,702 (est.)