Exports—partners: EU 67% (UK 24%, Germany 12%, France 8%), US 11%
(1997)
Imports: $43.7 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports—commodities: food, animal feed, data processing equipment, petroleum and petroleum products, machinery, textiles, clothing (1997)
Imports—partners: EU 55% (UK 34%, Germany 6%, France 6%), US 15% (1997)
Debt—external: $11 billion (1998)
Economic aid—donor: ODA, $153 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Irish pound (LIr) = 100 pence
Exchange rates: Irish pounds (LIr) per US$1—0.6815 (January
1999), 0.7014 (1998), 0.6588 (1997), 0.6248 (1996), 0.6235 (1995),
0.6676 (1994)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common
currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some
member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed
rate of 0.78764 Irish pounds per euro; the euro will replace the
local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications