The Republic of Ireland is a lowland country of wide valleys, lakes and marshes. There are some hills of significance, especially in coastal regions, such as the Wicklow mountains south of Dublin, the Connemara mountains in the west and McGillicuddy's Reeks in the southwest. The Irish climate is maritime and influenced by the Gulf Stream.
Rainfall is plentiful throughout the year and temperatures are mild.
However, Reynolds was himself forced to resign in late 1994, when his attorney general mishandled the extradition of a paedophile priest. A new coalition government was formed, led by John Bruton of Fine Gael with the support of Dick Spring's Labour party and the more radical Democratic Left party. Well before his resignation Reynolds, in co-operation with the British government, had sought to end the years of strife in Northern Ireland through the publication of a joint declaration to work toward peace. There was no immediate breakthrough, but eventually the IRA declared a cease-fire, signalling the beginning of political negotiations aimed at a lasting settlement. Bruton has shown no less urgency than his predecessor in pushing ahead with this process.