Ireland country profile

Since joining the European Union in 1973, the Republic of Ireland (Éire) has transformed itself from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically advanced Celtic Tiger economy.

Éire Ireland

Since joining the European Union in 1973, the Republic of Ireland (Éire) has transformed itself from a largely agricultural society into a modern, technologically advanced Celtic Tiger economy.

Agricultural lowlands make up most of the interior, which is broken in places by low hills and includes considerable areas of bogs and lakes. There are coastal mountains to the west, rising to over 1 000m in places. Nearly a third of the population live in Dublin.

The Dáil, or lower house of Parliament, is composed of 166 members while the Seanad, or upper house, has 60 members. Parliamentary elections are held every five years

Although the history of Ireland has seen troubles and turbulence, its people have always been associated with a love of music and storytelling. Often referred to as the land of saints and scholars, the country is the birthplace of many famous English-language writers, such as Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, Wilde and Shaw. Ireland is home to internationally known rock bands and singers such as U2, The Corrs and Sinead O’Connor.

Simple meat dishes and boiled vegetables such as the potato, carrot, turnip and parsnip form the principal ingredients of traditional Irish cooking.

Official name: Republic of Ireland

Area (km²): 70 000

Population: 4.40 million (2008); 4.46 million (forecast for 2009)

Capital: Dublin

National holiday: 17 March

Currency: Euro (€)

Date of joining: 01 January 1973

Head of state: Mary McAleese, since November 1997. In 2004 she reassumed the post as there was no other candidate.

Head of government: Brian Cowen, since May 2008, at the head of the majority centrist party, Fianna Fail

GDP (millions €): 185 721.3 (2008); 166 935.1 (forecast for 2009)

GDP per capita in PPS: € 35 000 (2008); € 32 200 (forecast for 2009)

Real growth rate of GDP: -2.3% (2008); -9.0% (forecast for 2009)

Unemployment rate: 12.8% (October 2009)

National debt as % of GDP: 43.2% (2008)

Inflation: -2,8% (October 2009)

Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: -7.1% (2008)

Source: Eurostat

Links:
Head of State: http://www.president.ie
Head of Government: http://www.gov.ie
Foreign Minister: http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie
Parliament: http://www.oireachtas.ie

Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency