Mary Davis (Special Olympics)
Encyclopedia
Mary Davis is an Irish social entrepreneur and long-term campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She currently serves as the Managing Director of Special Olympics
Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) with the responsibility of overseeing the growth and development of Special Olympics across 58 countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Davis also serves as Chairperson of Special Olympics Ireland.
She is best known for serving as CEO of 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
held in Dublin, Ireland
. This was the first time the event was staged outside of North America since Eunice Kennedy Shriver
founded the movement in 1968 and the largest sporting event in the world that year. Davis was awarded a Person of the Year Award
in 2003, for her work for this event as well as for her years of service with Special Olympics
Ireland
.
In November 2004 Davis was appointed by President Mary McAleese
to serve on the Irish Council of State
. In 2006 Davis was made Chairperson of the newly created Taskforce on Active Citizenship. She also co-chairs the North South Consultative Conference for the Irish Government.
Davis was a candidate in the 2011 Irish presidential election having received the required nominations from thirteen county councils
. In a number of media columns and speeches, Davis has expressed how as President of Ireland she can represent Ireland on an international stage, promote communities and community development, and support the values of fairness, equality and respect. She came last in the election receiving 48,657 (2.7%) first preference votes.
, County Mayo
and attended St Louis Convent School, Kiltimagh
. She claimed that the seeds of her success were sown in her upbringing in East Mayo saying "there was always a prevailing attitude of looking after your neighbour, of taking care of each other". After finishing secondary school, Davis trained as a Physical Education teacher from Trinity College
, Leeds
, United Kingdom
, a women's teacher training college affiliated to the University of Leeds
. From there she won a scholarship to the University of Alberta
where she completed her academic studies. After returning to Ireland, she became PE co-ordinator with St Michael's House in Ballymun
, Dublin, an organisation catering for people with intellectual disabilities. It was then that she first volunteered for Special Olympics
Ireland.
. By 1989, she was appointed National Director of Special Olympics Ireland. She served as member of the SO International Sports Rules Committee (1986–1989), Chairperson, SO European Development Committee (1982–1986) and Chairperson, SO International Advisory Council (1993–1997). She was one of the main driving forces behind Ireland's bid to host the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
and her track record on national and international bodies was a major factor in bringing the Games to Ireland
.
Organising Committee. This was the first time in 44 years that the Games were ever held outside of North America. The event involved participation by 165 countries, 32,000 volunteers and 10,000 athletes and coaches.
/Eurasia
(SOEE), Davis is responsible for overseeing the growth and development of Special Olympics across 58 countries. The primary purpose for SOEE is to empower and enable these national programmes to make sports training & competitions opportunities available for people with intellectual disabilities as well as change attitudes, foster community building, provide healthcare and influence policy. In 2009, Davis secured €6 million in funding from the European Parliament
. A further €447,000 was secured for SOEE's Youth Unified Sports programme.
by President Mary McAleese
for her second term as President of Ireland
, starting in 2004. Davis was one of seven personal appointees to the body established by the Constitution of Ireland
to advise the President of Ireland
in the exercise of her discretionary, reserve powers.
, Broadcast Commission of Ireland, Dublin Airport Authority
, UCD Foundation
, The One Foundation, Boardmatch and chaired the St. Patrick's Festival
for a four year period. She was a member of the Advisory Group for the Ireland Funds. She also served on the coordinating committee of the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities and is an Ambassador for the 2011 European Year of Volunteering.
Davis serves on many voluntary committees and is a member of the Irish Times Trust, the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, National Sports Campus Development Authority, and City of Science 2012 and acted as a judge for the O2 Ability Awards and the 'Your Country, Your Call' competition.
Davis had announced on 26 May 2011 that she would be seeking nomination for the 2011 Irish presidential election. She originally stated in August 2010 that she would consider standing for the presidency if approached by a political party.
Davis subsequently decided to run as an independent, seeking nominations from four local authorities. She began the process by addressing Galway County Council
, Louth County Council
and Clare County Council
in June 2011. On 21 July 2011, she had received the support of six county councils (Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary North) and was thus guaranteed a place on the ballot.
She announced on The Late Late Show
that she expected her campaign for the presidency could cost €350,000 and confirmed on the same programme that businessman Denis O'Brien
had provided money for her campaign subject to the law and the regulations of the Standars in Public Office (SIPO) which means that any one person or corporate entity can only donate a maximum of €2,539.
s after being appointed to them by Fianna Fáil
government ministers, she denied that she lacked the political independence she was claiming to have. On October 4th Mary Davis released details of her earnings from her position as managing director of Special Olympics
Europe Eurasia, as well as income from her membership of three State and three commercial boards. She also posted her P60 on her website and called on other candidates to follow her lead.
Mary Davis earned more than €60,000 in director fees in 2010 in addition to her salary of more than €150,000, according to figures on her income published on her website.
, Dublin City University
and the National University of Ireland
. Davis also received an Honorary Fellowship of the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
. On receiving the honorary degree from DCU, Davis said "I feel the award is an acknowledgement of what people did to make the Games so successful. It was a great honour to be CEO, but around me were all these people who were working with me to make it happen."
Person of the Month (June 2003), Public Relations Institute of Ireland Honour Award (2007), Public Relations Consultants Association 'Public Affairs Award for Ireland's Bid to host World Games' (1998), Lord Mayor of Dublin Millennium Award (1998), Irish Tatler - 100 Most Influential Women in Ireland (1998), and Irish Security Award for 'Caring' (1986).
Davis frequently serves as a guest speaker at conferences and special events around Ireland and is a regular contributor to Irish media outlets on a range of topics.
Davis ran the New York Marathon in November 2005, raising €80,000 for Special Olympics in the process. Before that, she achieved the ambition of a lifetime when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
, with her husband Julian. She was invited to represent the Irish Government on a climb of Mont Blanc
on 1 July 2008 to celebrate the start of the EU Presidency in France
.
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) with the responsibility of overseeing the growth and development of Special Olympics across 58 countries in Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Davis also serves as Chairperson of Special Olympics Ireland.
She is best known for serving as CEO of 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games were hosted in Ireland, with participants staying in various host towns around the island in the lead up to the games before moving to Dublin for the events. Events were held from 21 June-29 June 2003 at many venues including Morton Stadium, the Royal...
held in Dublin, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. This was the first time the event was staged outside of North America since Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Eunice Kennedy Shriver, DSG a member of the Kennedy family, sister to President John F. Kennedy and Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, was the founder in 1962 of Camp Shriver, and in 1968, the Special Olympics...
founded the movement in 1968 and the largest sporting event in the world that year. Davis was awarded a Person of the Year Award
People of the Year Awards
The People Of The Year Awards is an annual show in Ireland organised by the Rehab Group, televised by RTÉ television and hosted by Gráinne Seoige....
in 2003, for her work for this event as well as for her years of service with Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
In November 2004 Davis was appointed by President Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
to serve on the Irish Council of State
Council of State (Ireland)
The Council of State is a body established by the Constitution of Ireland to advise the President of Ireland in the exercise of many of his or her discretionary, reserve powers...
. In 2006 Davis was made Chairperson of the newly created Taskforce on Active Citizenship. She also co-chairs the North South Consultative Conference for the Irish Government.
Davis was a candidate in the 2011 Irish presidential election having received the required nominations from thirteen county councils
Local government in the Republic of Ireland
Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...
. In a number of media columns and speeches, Davis has expressed how as President of Ireland she can represent Ireland on an international stage, promote communities and community development, and support the values of fairness, equality and respect. She came last in the election receiving 48,657 (2.7%) first preference votes.
Early life
Mary Rooney grew up in Kinaffe, SwinfordSwinford
Swinford, historically called Swineford , is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It is surrounded by the settlements of Midfield, Meelick, Culmore, Cloonaghboy, Killasser and other villages. It is on the N5 road, located 18 km from Ireland West Airport Knock...
, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
and attended St Louis Convent School, Kiltimagh
Kiltimagh
' is a town in County Mayo, Ireland. It was referred to in the popular Irish song 'Horse it into ya Cynthia' by Conal Gallen.-Transport:The rail link is closed, but is pending re-opening as part of the Western Railway Corridor. Kiltimagh railway station opened on 1 October 1895 and finally closed...
. She claimed that the seeds of her success were sown in her upbringing in East Mayo saying "there was always a prevailing attitude of looking after your neighbour, of taking care of each other". After finishing secondary school, Davis trained as a Physical Education teacher from Trinity College
Leeds Trinity University College
Leeds Trinity University College is an independent higher education institution which offers foundation and undergraduate degrees, as well as postgraduate qualifications...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, a women's teacher training college affiliated to the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
. From there she won a scholarship to the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
where she completed her academic studies. After returning to Ireland, she became PE co-ordinator with St Michael's House in Ballymun
Ballymun
Ballymun is an area on Dublin's Northside close to Dublin Airport, Ireland. It is infamous for the Ballymun flats, which became a symbol of poverty, drugs, alienation from the state and social problems in Ireland from the 1970s...
, Dublin, an organisation catering for people with intellectual disabilities. It was then that she first volunteered for Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
Ireland.
Special Olympics
In 1985 Davis worked as Events Director when the 1985 Special Olympics European Games were hosted in Dublin, IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. By 1989, she was appointed National Director of Special Olympics Ireland. She served as member of the SO International Sports Rules Committee (1986–1989), Chairperson, SO European Development Committee (1982–1986) and Chairperson, SO International Advisory Council (1993–1997). She was one of the main driving forces behind Ireland's bid to host the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games were hosted in Ireland, with participants staying in various host towns around the island in the lead up to the games before moving to Dublin for the events. Events were held from 21 June-29 June 2003 at many venues including Morton Stadium, the Royal...
and her track record on national and international bodies was a major factor in bringing the Games to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
2003 World Summer Games
Davis served as CEO of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games
The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games were hosted in Ireland, with participants staying in various host towns around the island in the lead up to the games before moving to Dublin for the events. Events were held from 21 June-29 June 2003 at many venues including Morton Stadium, the Royal...
Organising Committee. This was the first time in 44 years that the Games were ever held outside of North America. The event involved participation by 165 countries, 32,000 volunteers and 10,000 athletes and coaches.
European Head
As managing director of Special Olympics EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
/Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
(SOEE), Davis is responsible for overseeing the growth and development of Special Olympics across 58 countries. The primary purpose for SOEE is to empower and enable these national programmes to make sports training & competitions opportunities available for people with intellectual disabilities as well as change attitudes, foster community building, provide healthcare and influence policy. In 2009, Davis secured €6 million in funding from the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
. A further €447,000 was secured for SOEE's Youth Unified Sports programme.
Council of State
Davis moved into the mainstream of Irish politics when she was appointed to the Irish Council of StateCouncil of State (Ireland)
The Council of State is a body established by the Constitution of Ireland to advise the President of Ireland in the exercise of many of his or her discretionary, reserve powers...
by President Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
for her second term as President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
, starting in 2004. Davis was one of seven personal appointees to the body established by the Constitution of Ireland
Constitution of Ireland
The Constitution of Ireland is the fundamental law of the Irish state. The constitution falls broadly within the liberal democratic tradition. It establishes an independent state based on a system of representative democracy and guarantees certain fundamental rights, along with a popularly elected...
to advise the President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
in the exercise of her discretionary, reserve powers.
Task Force on Active Citizenship
In April 2006 Davis was appointed Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, due to her track record in "generating such a tremendous response from ordinary citizens to an extraordinary experience that was Special Olympics 2003. This is one example of the type of voluntary effort and community participation which sustains a healthy and vibrant society". More recently she was appointed Chair of the Steering Group on Active Citizenship to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Taskforce.North South Consultative Conference
Davis is also a Co-Chair of the North South Consultative Conference on behalf of the Irish Government. The conference seeks to explore social, cultural and economic issues that have a North/South and cross-border dimension. The focus is on identifying potential for improved co-operation for mutual benefit.Boards
Davis is one of the founder of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. Previously Davis served on a number of boards including the Irish Sports CouncilIrish Sports Council
The Irish Sports Council or ISC is the organisation which directs the development of sport within the Ireland.The ISC is a statutory authority and was established in July 1999 under powers provided by the Irish Sports Council Act...
, Broadcast Commission of Ireland, Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin Airport Authority
Dublin Airport Authority plc is the state-owned airport authority in the Republic of Ireland. With a head office on the grounds of Dublin Airport in Fingal, County Dublin, the authority also owned the Great Southern Hotels which had nine sites throughout the island of Ireland and international...
, UCD Foundation
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
, The One Foundation, Boardmatch and chaired the St. Patrick's Festival
St. Patrick's Festival
St. Patrick's Festival, Ireland, was established by the Government of Ireland in November 1995 and has since developed into a multi day celebration which takes place annually on and around March 17, St. Patrick's Day - the national holiday of Ireland....
for a four year period. She was a member of the Advisory Group for the Ireland Funds. She also served on the coordinating committee of the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities and is an Ambassador for the 2011 European Year of Volunteering.
Davis serves on many voluntary committees and is a member of the Irish Times Trust, the National Institute for Intellectual Disability, National Sports Campus Development Authority, and City of Science 2012 and acted as a judge for the O2 Ability Awards and the 'Your Country, Your Call' competition.
2011 presidential campaign
Davis launched her Presidential campaign on Tuesday, October 4th outlining what she will do in her first 100 days of office including asking the Government to bring the office of President under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act and accusing Fine Gael of using polling companies to research attacks on her.Davis had announced on 26 May 2011 that she would be seeking nomination for the 2011 Irish presidential election. She originally stated in August 2010 that she would consider standing for the presidency if approached by a political party.
Davis subsequently decided to run as an independent, seeking nominations from four local authorities. She began the process by addressing Galway County Council
Galway County Council
Galway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...
, Louth County Council
Louth County Council
Louth County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Louth in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
and Clare County Council
Clare County Council
Clare County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Clare in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment....
in June 2011. On 21 July 2011, she had received the support of six county councils (Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary North) and was thus guaranteed a place on the ballot.
She announced on The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
that she expected her campaign for the presidency could cost €350,000 and confirmed on the same programme that businessman Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien is an Irish businessman with international connections. An Arts graduate of University College Dublin, O'Brien has received a MBA in corporate finance from Boston College in 1982, and was later given an honorary doctorate by University College Dublin.O'Brien has involvement with...
had provided money for her campaign subject to the law and the regulations of the Standars in Public Office (SIPO) which means that any one person or corporate entity can only donate a maximum of €2,539.
Quango payments controversy
After reports surfaced in the media that Davis was paid almost €190,000 by State quangoQuango
Quango or qango is an acronym used notably in the United Kingdom, Ireland and elsewhere to label an organisation to which government has devolved power...
s after being appointed to them by Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
government ministers, she denied that she lacked the political independence she was claiming to have. On October 4th Mary Davis released details of her earnings from her position as managing director of Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
Europe Eurasia, as well as income from her membership of three State and three commercial boards. She also posted her P60 on her website and called on other candidates to follow her lead.
Mary Davis earned more than €60,000 in director fees in 2010 in addition to her salary of more than €150,000, according to figures on her income published on her website.
Honorary doctorates
Davis has been awarded honorary Doctorates in Law by the University of LimerickUniversity of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
, Dublin City University
Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a university situated between Glasnevin, Santry, Ballymun and Whitehall on the Northside of Dublin in Ireland...
and the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
. Davis also received an Honorary Fellowship of the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
. On receiving the honorary degree from DCU, Davis said "I feel the award is an acknowledgement of what people did to make the Games so successful. It was a great honour to be CEO, but around me were all these people who were working with me to make it happen."
Distinctions
Over the years Davis has received many distinctions and achievements including Person of the Year (2003), Woman of the Year (2003), Marketer of the Year (2003), Mayo Person of the Year (2004), Woman of our Time Award - Social and Personal magazine (2003), Best of the Irish Award (2003), Business & Finance Person of the Month (July 2003), Irish IndependentIrish Independent
The Irish Independent is Ireland's largest-selling daily newspaper that is published in both compact and broadsheet formats. It is the flagship publication of Independent News & Media.-History:...
Person of the Month (June 2003), Public Relations Institute of Ireland Honour Award (2007), Public Relations Consultants Association 'Public Affairs Award for Ireland's Bid to host World Games' (1998), Lord Mayor of Dublin Millennium Award (1998), Irish Tatler - 100 Most Influential Women in Ireland (1998), and Irish Security Award for 'Caring' (1986).
Davis frequently serves as a guest speaker at conferences and special events around Ireland and is a regular contributor to Irish media outlets on a range of topics.
Personal life
She is married to Julian Davis and they have four children - two daughters and two sons.Davis ran the New York Marathon in November 2005, raising €80,000 for Special Olympics in the process. Before that, she achieved the ambition of a lifetime when she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania and the highest mountain in Africa at above sea level .-Geology:...
, with her husband Julian. She was invited to represent the Irish Government on a climb of Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco , meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence...
on 1 July 2008 to celebrate the start of the EU Presidency in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.