Characters / MTNO Ireland

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Republic of Ireland

Official Name: Republic of Ireland

Ruling Party: Fianna Fáil - Moderates^note Soldiers of Destiny

Ideology: Dominant-Party Democracy^note Paternalism

Since it began to open its doors to the powerful economies of the free world, Ireland has thrived. The economic issues that once plagued the country during the sixties were virtually wiped out, and while still burdened with the conflict in the North, Ireland was recovering... Until 2008 came like a tsunami.

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General Tropes

• Allohistorical Allusion:
  • The Direct Provisions also exist in this timeline, only they were created much earlier in 1973 to respond to the growing British immigration to Ireland. Like it's real-life counterpart, the provisions are famous for their bad conditions and human rights abuses.
  • The Troubles have continued into the 21st century in this timeline, only with protestants fighting the Irish government and republican militias instead of republicans fighting the British and loyalist militias like in OTL.
  • Ireland was hit by the Great Recession just as hard as OTL, and had the same Prime Minister at the time. Instead of being bailed out by the troika, however, Ireland is bailed out by the European Customs Union.
• From Bad to Worse: Ireland was hit hard by the Great Recession, which devastated the nation's economy and led to a wider banking crisis. Eight years after the Recession, Ireland will also be hit by Die Turbulenzen, destroying all the progress made towards recovery. Depending on the outcome of the Cold War, the country can face an even bigger crisis that will radically alter its political landscspe.
• Hyper-Competent Sidekick: Despite being a relatively small nation with little influence or economic power, Ireland is an economic hub for both sides of the Iron Curtain. The Americans see it as their gateway into Europe and have invested heavily on the Irish economy, causing it to boom and become one of the strongest economies in the European Customs Union. This left the Germans no choice but to tolerate this arrangement for the sake of keeping Ireland as an ally and having at least some limited access to America's economy through an indirect source.
• The Migration: Thousands of British immigrants arrived in Ireland during the 70s to escape from the Scarcity, many of whom were put under Direct Provisions and forced to live in terrible conditions while others were heavily discriminated against and struggled to integrate into Irish society.
• Politically Incorrect Hero: While Ireland is a democracy that leans towards the United States, it has a track record of mass discrimination against British migrants and Protestants in the Northern Counties. In Ulster, forces local residents to carry separate identification that includes their religious orientation; leaving protestants in particular vulnerable to police brutality and imprisonment followed by deportation to Britain.
• Western Terrorists: Protestant paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) have been fighting the Irish government for decades, using terrorism as a tool to achieve their political goal of independence from Ireland and reintegration with England. Meanwhile, different chapters of the Irish Republican Army have fought to keep Ireland united under a single government and carry out a socialist revolution.

Taoiseach

Micheál Martin

Role: Taoiseach

Party: Fianna Fáil - Moderates^note Soldiers of Destiny

Ideology: Dominant-Party Democracy^note Paternalism

The current Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.

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• 0% Approval Rating: The FF have virtually lost their entire support base after the 2008 crash, and like his predecessors, Martin does not receive much love from the public and doesn't expect to be reelected.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Martin is a moderate who wants to put an end to Ireland's recession first and foremost even if he has to put his own views aside and work for what is best for the country.
• This Is Gonna Suck: Taking over in 2011 from the incompetent Cowen, Martin saw Ireland in a state of economic meltdown and high disapproval ratings for his party. Martin knows very well that this might be the final chapter in his political career, as he will be despised no matter what he does in office and fixing Ireland after years of recession and mismanagement is not going to be an easy task.

President

Mary McAleese

Role: President of Ireland

The Incumbent President of Ireland.

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