International organization participation:
AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC,
NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UPU,
WCO, WEU (observer), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Noel FAHEY
chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939
FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. FOLEY
embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777
FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and
orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and
has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors
of green (hoist side), white, and red
Economy Ireland
Economy - overview:
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy with growth
averaging 6% in 1995-2006. Agriculture, once the most important
sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. Industry accounts
for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labor force.
Although exports remain the primary engine for Ireland's growth, the
economy has also benefited from a rise in consumer spending,
construction, and business investment. Per capita GDP is 10% above
that of the four big European economies and the second highest in
the EU behind Luxembourg. Over the past decade, the Irish Government
has implemented a series of national economic programs designed to
curb price and wage inflation, reduce government spending, increase
labor force skills, and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined
in circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU
nations.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$177.2 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$202.9 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$43,600 (2006 est.)