Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural): 52 cu km (2011) Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff
Environment - international agreements: party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin
Independence: 6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)
National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
Constitution: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)
Legal system: common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state:President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 29 October 2011)
head of government:Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the lower house of Parliament
elections:president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) and appointed by the president
election results:Michael D. HIGGINS elected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER 28.5%, Martin MCGUINNESS 13.7%, Gay MITCHELL 6.4%, David NORRIS 6.2%, other 5.6%
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate - last held in 27 April 2011 (next to be held 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 25 February 2011 (next to be held probably in 2016)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fine Gael 19, Fianna Fail 14, Labor Party 12, Sinn Fein 3, independents 12; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fine Gael 36.1%, Labor Party 19.5%, Fianna Fail 17.5%, Sinn Fein 9.9%, United Left Alliance 2.6%, independents and others 14.4%; seats by party - Fine Gael 76, Labor Party 37, Fianna Fail 20, Sinn Fein 14, United Left Alliance 5, independents 14
Judicial branch: highest court(s):Supreme Court or Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; judges serve till age 70
subordinate courts:High Court, Court of Criminal Appeal; circuit and district courts
Political parties and leaders: Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN]
Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]
Green Party [Eamon RYAN]
Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]
New Vision
Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]
Socialist Party [Collective Leadership]
The Workers' Party [Michael FINNEGAN]
United Left Alliance
Political pressure groups and leaders: Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence);
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Anne Colette ANDERSON (since 28 August 2013)
chancery:2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 462-3939
FAX:[1] (202) 232-5993
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco; note - Ireland will open a consulate general in Austin by the end of 2014
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stuart DWYER (since 5 September 2013)
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; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange
National symbol(s): harp, shamrock (trefoil)
National anthem: name:'Amhran na bhFiann' (The Soldier's Song)
lyrics/music:Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note:adopted 1926; instead of 'Amhran na bhFiann,' the song 'Ireland's Call' is often used in athletic events where citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team
Economy
Economy - overview:
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity has dropped sharply since the onset of the world financial crisis. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2007 than in any other developed economy. Since their 2007 peak, average house prices have fallen 47%. In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. In 2008 the former COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. In 2009, in continued efforts to stabilize the banking sector, the Irish Government established the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to acquire problem commercial property and development loans from Irish banks. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. In addition to across-the-board cuts in spending, the 2009 budget included wage reductions for all public servants. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP - because of additional government support for the country’s deeply troubled banking sector. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s fragile banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. Since entering office in March 2011, the new KENNY government has intensified austerity measures to try to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF program. Ireland has grown slowly since 2011, but managed to reduce the budget deficit to 7.2% of GDP in 2013. In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$190.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$189.3 billion (2012 est.)
$189 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$220.9 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
0.2% (2012 est.)
2.2% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,300 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$41,300 (2012 est.)
$41,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving:
13.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
15.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
12.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:50.2%
government consumption:14.8%
investment in fixed capital:10%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:106.8%
imports of goods and services:-81.9%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:1.6%
industry:28%
services:70.4% (2013 est.)
Agriculture - products:
barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products
Industries:
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices
Industrial production growth rate:
0.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162 Labor force:
2.161 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture:5%
industry:19%
services:76% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
14.7% (2012 est.)
Population below poverty line:
5.5% (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:2.9%
highest 10%:27.2% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.9 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 97
35.9 (1987)
Budget: revenues:$75.32 billion
expenditures:$91.3 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
34.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-7.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Public debt:
124.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
117.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
note:data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
1.7% (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world: 124
1.5% (31 December 2010)
note:this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.2% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
3.55% (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$121.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$122.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$238 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$238.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$425.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$433.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$109 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Current account balance:
$7.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$9.245 billion (2012 est.)
Exports:
$113.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$119.3 billion (2012 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals; food products, animal products
Exports - partners:
US 17.9%, UK 17.3%, Belgium 15.6%, Germany 8.4%, Switzerland 5.8%, France 5% (2012)
Imports:
$61.51 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$63.63 billion (2012 est.)
Imports - commodities:
data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing
Imports - partners:
UK 39.8%, US 13.2%, Germany 7.6%, Netherlands 5.7% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.707 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$1.703 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.164 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$2.213 trillion (31 December 2011)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$777.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$725.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$792.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$766 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.7752 (2012 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)
Energy
Electricity - production:
26.04 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world:67
Electricity - consumption:
26.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - exports:
370 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - imports:
724 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.316 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
76.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
2.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
17.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Crude oil - production:
725.6 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Crude oil - exports:
1,858 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Crude oil - imports:
62,070 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Refined petroleum products - production:
59,630 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
144,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Refined petroleum products - exports:
26,120 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Refined petroleum products - imports:
166,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - production:
373 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - consumption:
5.506 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Natural gas - imports:
4.522 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - proved reserves:
9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
36.57 million Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.007 million (2012)
country comparison to the world:57
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.906 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 114
Telephone system:
general assessment:modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
domestic:system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas
international:country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2014)
Broadcast media:
publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2014)
Internet country code:
.ie
Internet hosts:
1.387 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 40
Internet users:
3.042 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 67
Transportation
Airports
40 (2013)
country comparison to the world:105
Airports - with paved runways total:16
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:5 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:24
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:
21 (2013)
Pipelines gas 2,147 km (2013)
Railways total:3,237 kmcountry comparison to the world: 54
broad gauge:1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified)
narrow gauge:1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2008)
Roadways total:96,036 kmcountry comparison to the world: 49
paved:96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014)
Waterways
956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 68
Merchant marine total:31country comparison to the world: 83
by type:cargo 28, chemical tanker 2, container 1
foreign-owned:5 (France 2, Spain 1, US 2)
registered in other countries:33 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Netherlands 8, Panama 1, Russia 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1, UK 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals major seaport(s):Dublin, Shannon Foynes,
river port(s):Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)
container port(s) (TEUs):Dublin (1,931,001)
Military
Military branches Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn), Permanent Defence Forces (PDF): Army, Naval Service, Air Corps; Reserve Defence Forces (RDF): Army, Naval Service Reserves (2014)
Military service age and obligation 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF; 18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-28 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 18-35 years of age for the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (PDF officers), 5 years (PDF enlisted), 3 years RDF (4 years for Naval Service Reserves); EU citizenship, refugee status, or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2014)
Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:1,179,125
females age 16-49:1,163,728 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:977,631
females age 16-49:965,900 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:28,564
female:27,197 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures
0.55% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 125
0.59% of GDP (2011)
0.55% of GDP (2010)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
Refugees and internally displaced persons stateless persons:73 (2012)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern
