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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

publicly-owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial television 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 (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.ie

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1.339 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 36

Internet users [time series]

3.042 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

2.078 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 57

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.702 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 104

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

beef, dairy products, barley, potatoes, wheat

Budget [time series]

revenues: $70.74 billion expenditures: $137 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-32.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Central bank discount rate [time series]

1.75% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 118 1.75% (31 December 2009) 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 [time series]

5.45% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 4.32% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.477 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 -$6.544 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.357 trillion (30 June 2011) country comparison to the world: 9 $2.253 trillion (30 September 2010)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

29.3 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121 35.9 (1987)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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, with GDP falling by over 3% in 2008, nearly 8% in 2009, and 1% in 2010. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property and construction markets. 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 50%. 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 a key component of Ireland's economy. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. In 2008 the 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. 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 banking sector. In late 2010, the COWEN Government agreed to a $112 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin further increase the capitalization of its banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. The government also initiated a four-year austerity plan to cut an additional $20 billion from its budget. A return to modest growth is expected in 2011.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

26.99 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Electricity - exports [time series]

290 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

756 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

27.28 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Exchange rates [time series]

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.755 (2010) 0.7198 (2009) 0.6827 (2008) 0.7345 (2007) 0.7964 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$110.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $108.2 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; live animals, animal products

Exports - partners [time series]

US 22.1%, UK 16.1%, Belgium 15.1%, Germany 8.1%, France 5.3%, Switzerland 4.2% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$204.3 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$172.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $174.2 billion (2009 est.) $188.4 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2% industry: 29% services: 70% (2009 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$37,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $38,000 (2009 est.) $41,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 -7.6% (2009 est.) -3.5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)

Imports [time series]

$61.63 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $62.95 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing

Imports - partners [time series]

UK 37.7%, US 13.8%, Germany 7.6%, Netherlands 5.6%, China 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Industries [time series]

pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 -4.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

11.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Labor force [time series]

2.14 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 20% services: 76% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$63.1 billion (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 50 $61.7 billion (31 December 2009) $49.4 billion (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

5.656 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Natural gas - imports [time series]

5.261 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - production [time series]

388 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Oil - consumption [time series]

159,700 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Oil - exports [time series]

17,480 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Oil - imports [time series]

176,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Oil - production [time series]

431 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Population below poverty line [time series]

5.5% (2009 est.)

Public debt [time series]

94.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 65.3% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$2.115 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 $2.154 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$245 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $283.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$286.2 billion (31 September 2010) country comparison to the world: 16 $264.6 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$228 billion (31 September 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $236.2 billion (31 December 2009)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$745.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $738.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$131.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $145.1 billion (31 December 2009 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

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

34.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Unemployment rate [time series]

13.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 11.8% (2009)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 70,273 sq km country comparison to the world: 120 land: 68,883 sq km water: 1,390 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate [time series]

temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time

Coastline [time series]

1,448 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 1.18 cu km/yr (23%/77%/0%) per capita: 284 cu m/yr (1994)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

53 00 N, 8 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 360 km border countries: UK 360 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 16.82% permanent crops: 0.03% other: 83.15% (2005)

Location [time series]

Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite

Terrain [time series]

mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

46.8 cu km (2003)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

29 counties and 5 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Limerick*, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, South Tipperary, Waterford, Waterford*, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Capital [time series]

name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

adopted 1 July 1937 by plebiscite; effective 29 December 1937

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROONEY embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 668-9946

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael COLLINS 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

Executive branch [time series]

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 House of Representatives (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 October 2011 (next scheduled for October 2018); prime minister (taoiseach) 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%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 note: 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

Government type [time series]

republic, parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Court of Final Appeal) (judges appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and cabinet); Courts of First Instance (includes High Court)

Legal system [time series]

common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court

Legislative branch [time series]

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 lower house of Parliament 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 45.8%, Labor Party 22.3%, Fianna Fail 12.0%, Sinn Fein 8.4%, United Left Alliance 3.0%, New Vision 0.6%, independents 7.8%; seats by party - Fine Gael 76, Labor Party 37, Fianna Fail 20, Sinn Fein 14, United Left Alliance 5, New Vision 1, independents 13; note - after November 2009 disbandment of the Progressive Democrats, the two members of the Senate continued as independent DPs note: on 8 November 2008, delegates voted to disband the Progressive Democrats, and in November 2009 it officially stopped operating as a political party

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March

National symbol(s) [time series]

harp

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Fianna Fail [Michael MARTIN]; Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]; Green Party [John GORMLEY]; Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]; New Vision; Progressive Democrats or PD [Noel GREALISH] (formerly dissolved on 20 November 2009); Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]; Socialist Party [Joe HIGGINS]; The Workers' Party [Michael FINNEGAN]; United Left Alliance

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence); Families Against Intimidation and Terror or FAIT (oppose terrorism); Gaeltacht Civil Rights Campaign (Coiste Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeilge) or CCSG (encourages the use of the Irish language and campaigns for greater civil rights in Irish speaking areas); Iona Institute [David QUINN] (a conservative Catholic think tank); Irish Anti-War Movement [Richard Boyd BARRETT] (campaigns against wars around the world); Irish Republican Army or IRA (terrorist group); Keep Ireland Open (environmental group); Midland Railway Action Group or MRAG [Willie ALLEN] (transportation promoters); Peace and Neutrality Alliance [Roger COLE] (campaigns to protect Irish neutrality); Rail Users Ireland (formerly the Platform 11 - transportation promoters); 32 Country Sovereignty Movement or 32CSM (supports a fully sovereign Ireland); Ulster Defence Association or UDA (terrorist group)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,179,125 females age 16-49: 1,163,728 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 977,631 females age 16-49: 965,900 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 28,564 female: 27,197 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Irish Defense Forces (IDF; Oglaigh na h-Eireann): Army, Naval Service, Air Corps (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Military service age and obligation [time series]

17-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (17-27 years of age for the Naval Service); enlistees 16 years of age can be recruited for apprentice specialist positions; 17-35 years of age for the Reserve Defense Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (5 years IDF, 7 years RDF); EU citizenship or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2010)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.1% (male 503,921/female 483,454) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 1,581,959/female 1,560,238) 65 years and over: 11.6% (male 246,212/female 295,192) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.1 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Death rate [time series]

6.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 62

Ethnic groups [time series]

Irish 87.4%, other white 7.5%, Asian 1.3%, black 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

6,900 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

7.6% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 64

Hospital bed density [time series]

5.17 beds/1,000 population (2007) country comparison to the world: 37

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 80.19 years country comparison to the world: 26 male: 77.96 years female: 82.55 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

DUBLIN (capital) 1.084 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 171

Median age [time series]

total: 34.8 years male: 34.5 years female: 35.1 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish

Net migration rate [time series]

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

13% (2002) country comparison to the world: 44

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

3.187 physicians/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 33

Population [time series]

4,670,976 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Population growth rate [time series]

1.061% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 87.4%, Church of Ireland 2.9%, other Christian 1.9%, other 2.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.2% (2006 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 18 years male: 18 years female: 18 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.057 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.02 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 24.3% country comparison to the world: 33 male: 30.9% female: 17.3% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 62% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

39 (2010) country comparison to the world: 105

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 21 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 28 country comparison to the world: 88 by type: cargo 25, chemical tanker 2, container 1 foreign-owned: 5 (Norway 3, US 2) registered in other countries: 21 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 2, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 1, Netherlands 7, Panama 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,888 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Cork, Dublin, Shannon Foynes, Waterford

Railways [time series]

total: 3,237 km country 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 [time series]

total: 96,036 km country comparison to the world: 46 paved: 96,036 km (includes 896 km of expressways) (2010)

Waterways [time series]

956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010) country comparison to the world: 68