Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 70.7
Shire plc Ordinary Shares
Dividends per share declared	$ 0.1259
Dividends per share paid	$ 0.1259
ADS
Dividends per share declared	$ 0.3777
Dividends per share paid	$ 0.3777

Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

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Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

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Equity impact of common stock cash dividends declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period.

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