sentation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Sean O'HUIGINN

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, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Michael J. SULLIVAN

embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [353] (1) 668-7122/668-8777

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

Ireland Economy

Economy - overview: Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent
economy with growth averaging a robust 9% in 1995-2000. Agriculture,
once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry, which
accounts for 38% of GDP and about 80% of exports and employs 28% of
the labor force. Although exports remain the primary engine for
Ireland's robust growth, the economy is also benefiting from a rise
in consumer spending and recovery in both construction and business
investment. Over the past decade, the Irish government has
implemented a series of national economic programs designed to curb
inflation, reduce government spending, increase labor force skills,
and promote foreign investment. Ireland joined in launching the euro
currency system in January 1999 along with 10 other EU nations. The
Irish economy is in danger of overheating, with the tight labor
market driving up wage demands and inflation.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $81.9 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 9.9% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $21,600 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4%

industry: 38%

services: 58% (1999)

Population below poverty line: 10% (1997 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 27.3% (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (2000)

Labor force: 1.82 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation: services 64%, industry 28%, agriculture
8% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate: 4.1% (2000)

Budget: revenues: $25.7 billion

expenditures: $19.2 billion, inc