Europe

Ireland Flag of Ireland

Last reviewed: 13 July 2007

Country information


Map of Ireland

Area: 70,282 sq. km (27,000 sq. miles)
Population: 4.2 million (Census 2006, preliminary report)
Capital City: Dublin (population: 1 million)
Languages: Irish is the first official language, although English, the second official Language is almost universally used.
Religions: Roman Catholic 88.4%, Church of Ireland (Anglican) 2.9%, Presbyterian 0.5%, Methodist 0.25%; Muslim 0.48%, Jewish <0.1%; Other 5.5% (2002 Census)
Currency: euro
Government: The 1937 Constitution makes provision for a President, elected by the population every 7 years; a Dáil (pronounced 'doyle') or lower house of Parliament, with 166 members (TDs); and a Seanad (pronounced 'shannad') or upper house with 60 members. The Government consists of a cabinet led by the Taoiseach (pronounced 'tee-shock') i.e. Prime Minister. Parliamentary elections are held every five years, or less if the President dissolves Parliament on the advice of the Taoiseach before its full term. The present Government was formed in June 2007. Bertie Ahern (FF) continues to lead a Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat coalition that has been in office since 1997 but now also with the support of the Green Party.
Major political parties: (TDs) Fianna Fáil (78); Fine Gael (51); Labour (20); Progressive Democrats (2); Green Party (6); Sinn Fein (4); Independents (5)
Head of State: President Mary McAleese (since 1997 - started second term on 11 November 2004)
Taoiseach/Prime Minister: Bertie Ahern (1997)
Foreign Minister: Dermot Ahern (since 29 Sept 2004)
Europe Minister: Dick Roche (since June 2007, previously held same position 2002-2004 – during Irish Presidency of the EU)
Membership of international groupings/organisations: European Union (EU); United Nations (UN); Council of Europe (COE); Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); World Trade Organisation (WTO); International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, also known as the World Bank); Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Partnership for Peace (PfP).

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Every man, woman and child in Ireland spends an average of £3,422 per year on British goods, the highest per capita spend on British products in the world.
  • Every year the UK imports Irish dairy products worth over £254 million

Next Page: Economy

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contacts

Ireland, Dublin, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
29 Merrion Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

Telephone:


(353) (1) 205 3775 Commercial
(353) (1) 205 3742 Press & Public Affairs enquiries only
1570 214 666 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 0906 664 1717 (from the UK, charged at £1.50 per minute).  All passport enquiries are handled on our behalf by Abtran.
1570 214 314 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 00 353 76 670 9865 (if calling outside of Ireland, callcharged at $14).  All UK visa enquiries are handled on our behalf by WordBridge Service.

 



 

Fax:

(353) (1) 205 3885 Management
(353) (1) 205 3880 Commercial
(353) (1) 205 3731 Chancery
(353) (1) 205 3890 Visa
(353) (1) 205 3820 Passports
(353) (1) 205 3779 Consular
(353) (1) 205 3893 Press & Public Affairs

Email: management.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: consular.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: chancery.dublx@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT: (Local Time = GMT)
Mon-Thurs: 0900-1245 / 1400-1715
Fri: 0900-1245 / 1400-1700

Website: http://www.britishembassy.ie



Ireland