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Solicitors Ireland Links Page

Governments on the WWW: Ireland
"Comprehensive database of governmental institutions on the World Wide Web: parliaments, ministries, offices, law courts, embassies, city councils, public broadcasting corporations, central banks, multi-national organisations etc. Includes also political parties."

Information on the Irish State
An excellent site with a search and help option of government agencies. Provides links to the Office of the President, Parliament of Ireland, Prime Minister, National Police Force and Defence Forces. Also gives information about government press and the government in general.

CIA World Factbook: Ireland
This site has a map of the country and gives details on government, economy, geography, people, and more.

Ireland Internet Links
This site provides important links to very descriptive sites about the country. These sites may cover a variety of topics, such as education, history, culture, travel, or more.

Lonely Planet Publications
Web site for travellers. Includes information on history, economy, culture, help for the traveller, and more.

The Internationalist: Ireland
Helpful to the business traveller. Links to hotels, key cities, maps and in-country search engines.

GigaLaw.com Articles Index
GigaLaw.com: "Legal Information for Internet Professionals"

Ireland

Geography

Area: 70,282 sq. km. (27,136 sq. mi.); slightly larger than West Virginia. Cities: Capital--Dublin (pop. 502,749; about 1 million in metropolitan area, or about one-third the total population). Other cities--Cork (133,271), Limerick (56,279), Galway (47,104), Waterford, (39,529). Terrain: Arable 10%, meadows and pastures 77%, rough grazing in use 11%, inland water 2%. Climate: Temperate maritime.

Source: U.S. State Department Background Notes

Government

Type: Parliamentary republic.
Independence: 1921.

Constitution: December 29, 1937. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state); prime minister (Taoiseach--pronounced "TEE-shuk") head of government. Legislative--bicameral National Parliament (Oireachtas--pronounced "ir-ROCK-tas"): House of Representatives (Dáil--pronounced "DAW-il"), and Senate (Seanad--pronounced "SHAN-ad"). Judicial--Supreme Court.

Administrative subdivisions: 26 counties. Major political parties: Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Workers' Party, Progressive Democrats, Democratic Left, Green Party. Suffrage: Universal over 18.

People

Nationality: Noun--Irishman, Irishwoman. Adjective--Irish. Population: 3.6 million. Ethnic groups: Celtic, with English minority. Religions: Roman Catholic 91%, other Christian denominations 4%. Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic). Education: Years compulsory--9. Attendance--93%. Literacy--90%. Health: Infant mortality rate--6/1,000. Life expectancy--75 years: male 72 yrs., female 78 yrs. Work force: Services--54%. Industry-- 28%. Agriculture--12%. Government--6%.

Economy

GNP (1994): $46 billion.
Annual growth rate (1994): 5.5%.
Per capita income: $12,000.

Natural resources: Zinc, lead, natural gas, borate, copper, gypsum, limestone, dolomite, peat, silver, gold.

Agriculture (8% of GNP): Products--cattle, meat, and dairy products, potatoes, barley, sugar beets, hay, silage, wheat. Industry (36% of GNP): Types--food processing, beverages, engineering, computer equipment, textiles and clothing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction.

Trade (1994): Exports--$36 billion:computer equipment, chemicals, meat, dairy products, machinery. Major markets--U.K. 27%, other EU countries 41%, U.S. 8%. Imports--$26 billion: grains, petroleum products, machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, textile yarns. Major suppliers--U.K. 36%, other EU countries 20%, U.S. 18%.