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U.S. Department of State

Diplomacy in Action

Ireland (11/03)




Republic of Ireland

Cities: Capital--County Dublin (pop. 1,122,821) of which City of Dublin (pop.495,101). Other cities--Cork (123,338), Galway (65,774), Limerick (54,058), Waterford, (44,564).
Climate: Temperate maritime.

Population: 3,917,203.
Population growth rate: .93%.
Ethnic groups: Irish, with English minority.
Religions: Roman Catholic 88.4%; Church of Ireland 3.0%; other 8.7%. Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic).
Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Enrollment rates--5-14 year olds--100%; 15 year olds, 97%; 16 year olds, 91%. Literacy--98%-99%. Health: Infant mortality rate--5.3/1,000. Life expectancy at birth--male 73.0 yrs., female 77.5 yrs.

Type: Parliamentary republic.
Independence: December 6, 1921.
Constitution: December 29, 1937.
Administrative subdivisions: 26 counties, 34 local authorities.
Suffrage: Universal over 18.

Flag: flag of ireland

GDP at market prices (2003.): $148 billion.
Annual growth rate (2003 est.): 1.5%.
Per capita income (2003 est.): $38,172.
Trade (2002): Exports--$93.7 billion (excluding services): computer equipment, chemicals, meat, dairy products, machinery. Imports--$55.3 billion (excluding services): grains, petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, textile yarns. Major suppliers--EU 56%, U.K. 55%, Germany 13%, France 7%, U.S. 15%, Japan 5%, China 4%.






Two hundred years of Viking invasion and settlement was later followed by a Norman Conquest in the twelfth century.




Nationalism was and is a potent populist force in Irish politics. While Home Rule was granted in 1914, its enactment was to be suspended until war in Europe ended. Believing the mantra: "England's problem is Ireland opportunity" and tapping into a mood of Gaelic revivalism, Padraic Pearse and James Connolly led the unsuccessful Easter Rising of 1916. Pearse and the 1916 leaders declared an independent Irish republic, only to be driven out of their Headquarters in the General Post Office and formally surrendering less than a week later. The decision by the British-imposed court structure to execute the leaders of the rebellion, coupled with the British Government's threat of conscription, alienated public opinion and produced massive support for Sinn Fein in the 1918 general election. Under the leadership of Eamon de Valera, the elected Sinn Fein deputies constituted themselves as the first Dail. Tensions only increased: British attempts to smash Sinn Fein ignited the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-21.





Judges are appointed by the president on nomination by the government and can be removed from office only for misbehaviour or incapacity and then only by resolution of both houses of parliament. The ultimate court of appeal is the Supreme Court, consisting of the Chief Justice and five other justices. The Supreme Court also can decide upon the constitutionality of legislative acts if the president asks for an opinion.


Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. This party system, however, is evolving. Fine Gael's core vote collapsed in the May 2002 general election, perhaps signalling an end to the civil war divide. A feature of recent general elections has been the emergence of "Independent" TDs as a political force. In the 2002 general election, 14 "Independent" TDs were elected to the Dail.


Ireland enjoyed more than 6 years of impressive economic growth from 1996-2002--the fastest growing in economy in the OECD during the period. With large budget surpluses during these boom years, it also expanded public spending, at rates approaching 20% per year in 2000-01. Beginning in 2002, however, the worldwide economic downturn brought new challenges to the Government as the surpluses evaporated and tough government cut-backs are now necessary.

Northern Ireland
Consolidating the peace process in Northern Ireland and encouraging the full implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA) remain priority U.S. goals in Ireland. The conflict in Northern Ireland stems from a history of British rule and the various armed and political attempts to gain independence. "Nationalist" and "republican" communities seek a united Ireland, while "unionists" want Northern Ireland to remain part of the U.K. After decades of violence by republican paramilitaries, most notably the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the British and Irish governments negotiated an IRA cease-fire in 1997, which was followed by the U.S.-brokered Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998.

The landmark GFA established a power-sharing legislative assembly to serve as the autonomous local government of Northern Ireland. The 108-member Northern Ireland Assembly is led by a First Minister and Deputy First Minister, one from each of the two communities, and a 10-Minister Executive. The GFA also provided for changes in both the British and Irish Constitutions. Ireland ceded territorial claim to Northern Ireland, and the U.K. agreed that Northern Ireland could become part of Ireland if a majority (north and south) so voted in the future. Finally, the GFA provides the blueprint for "normalization," to include the eventual removal of British forces, devolution of police and justice functions, and guarantees of human rights and equal opportunity for all individuals. The Agreement was approved in a referendum by 71% of Northern Ireland voters and 95% of Irish voters.

The major political parties in Northern Ireland are the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), the Social Democratic and Labor Party (SDLP), the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and Sinn Fein. From the time the Assembly was created in 1998, up until October 2002, the governing parties were the pro-Agreement UUP and the nationalist party SDLP.

In October 2002, the British Government suspended (for the fourth time) the Assembly, following a breakdown in trust between unionists and republican party Sinn Fein. The British and Irish government began discussions with the parties to try to resolve longstanding unresolved differences between the communities, and to secure a commitment from Sinn Fein that republicans would divest themselves of all paramilitary activities and capabilities.

Efforts to restore the political process in time to stage new elections to the Assembly in May 2003 broke down when the two governments concluded they did not have sufficient assurances from republicans. However, the governments proceeded to publish a Joint Declaration, mapping out the timetable to full implementation of the GFA. The governments also announced, in September 2003, the creation of an International Monitoring Commission that will serve as a forum to hear complaints of alleged breaches of GFA commitments by the political parties and/or by British authorities. The four-member Commission includes a representative from the United States.

As of October 2003, negotiations had been renewed to try to secure a commitment from republicans to sever all paramilitary ties, and to pave the way for Assembly elections in the fall, which are scheduled to take place November 26, 2003.

The United States supports the efforts of the British and Irish Governments to restore the democratic process in Northern Ireland and to fully implement the GFA, which the United States believe is the only viable blueprint for a lasting peace. The United States remains engaged in dialogue with all parties, in coordination with its embassies in Dublin and London, its consulate in Belfast, and the office of the President's Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. U.S. goals are a demonstrated commitment by republicans to a peaceful and political solution, and an equally clear commitment by unionists to a full and equal partnership with nationalists. As the United States urges an end to paramilitary activities, it seeks to strengthen the democratic rule of law, to include a reformed Police Service of Northern Ireland with representation by both communities.

The United States also continues to provide funding ($25 million annually) for projects administered under the International Fund for Ireland, created in 1986 to generate economic opportunity and cross-community engagement in the border areas, both north and south.

Principal Government Officials
President--Mary McAleese
Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Bertie Ahern
Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment--Mary Harney
Ambassador to the United States--Noel Fahey


In the first 6 months of 2003, trade between Ireland and the United States was worth approximately $12.0 billion, a 10% decrease compared to the same period in 2002. In 2002 U.S. exports to Ireland were valued at $8.5 billion, less than half the value of Irish exports to the U.S. ($16.5 billion). The range of U.S. products includes electrical components, computers and peripherals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, and livestock feed. Irish exports to the United States represents approximately15%-20% of all Irish exports. The U.S. is Ireland's second largest export destination - second only to the U.K. Exports to the United States include alcoholic beverages, chemicals and related products, electronic data processing equipment, electrical machinery, textiles and clothing, and glassware.

The United States currently contributes $25 million annually to the International Fund for Ireland, a program that supports cross-border initiatives and economic development. U.S. investment has been particularly important to the growth and modernization of Irish industry over the past 25 years, providing new technology, export capabilities, and employment opportunities. The stock of U.S. investment in Ireland was valued at $35.7 billion in 2002. Currently, there are more than 507 U.S. subsidiaries, employing approximately 90,000 people and spanning activities from manufacturing of high-tech electronics, computer products, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals to retailing, banking and finance, and other services.





Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--James Kenny
Deputy Chief of Mission--Jane Fort
Management Officer--Lewis Lukens
Commercial Attach�--Dale Tarsharski
Consular Officer--Jill Johnson
Defense Attach�--Col. John O'Sullivan, USA
Economic Officer--John Fennerty
Political Officer--Eva Weigold
Public Affairs Officer--Morgan Kulla



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