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, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James C. KENNY
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 a robust 7% in 1995-2004. 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):
$126.4 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 46%
services: 49% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
1.92 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 8%, industry 29%, services 63% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate:
4.3% (2004 est.)

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

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 27.3% (1997)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
35.9 (1987)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):