
<rss version="2.0">
	<channel>
		<title>English</title>
		<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30659</link>
		<description></description>
		<language>en</language>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:21:54 UTC</pubDate>
		
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in France]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30660</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
WELCOME!


I am delighted to welcome you to the website of our Embassy which I
hope you will find useful and informative. In addition to providing
information on the services provided by the Embassy, it is a source
of information on Ireland and France alike and on the links between
our two countries.


J'ai le plaisir de vous accueillir sur le site Internet de notre
Ambassade que vous trouverez, je l'esp&#232;re, int&#233;ressant et utile. En
plus des informations sur les diff&#233;rents services de l'Ambassade,
c'est une source d'informations sur l'Irlande et la France et des
liens entre nos deux pays. Une version
fran&#231;aise de notre site est disponible en cliquant
ici.


Paul Kavanagh
Ireland's Ambassador to France



News and Events





The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr. Batt
O'Keeffe T.D., was in Paris on 26 and 27 May for a meeting of the
OECD Ministerial Council and other business promotion events
(see news
update)








Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miche&#225;l Martin T.D., paid an
official visit to Paris on 24 March during which he had a working
lunch with his French counterpart, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, Minister
for Foreign and European Affairs (see news
update)








The Minister for Justive and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D.,
travelled to Paris for St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 2010, and
attended the traditional St. Patrick's Day reception at the Embassy
hosted by Ambassador Kavanagh as well as attending a number of
other official engagements. (see news
update)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:32:40 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[News & Events]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30667</link>
					<description><![CDATA[    



Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keeffe T.D.


The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe
T.D., was in Paris on 26 and 27 May 2010 to attend a meeting of the
OECD Ministerial Council and to meet representative of French
business. Minister O’Keeffe was invited to address delegates
at the launch the launch of the OECD’s Strategy for Innovation by
the Organisation’s Director General, Angel Gurr&#237;a. The
Minister stressed the importance of innovation in Ireland's
economic recovery. Minister O’Keeffe said many of the challenges
identified in the OECD Strategy for Innovation were similar to
those the Irish Government was now tackling. He added: “The
OECD's invitation to our Government to address the launch is a
strong message that the organisation believes we are on the right
path when it comes to developing Ireland as the innovation island.
Our approach to innovation is based on the need to enhance our
research base, drive in-company research and development investment
levels, build collaborative research between industry and higher
education institutions, and commercialise research outputs. The
establishment of a strong research culture in Ireland is a vital
driver of major investment decisions by overseas and indigenous
firms and it continues to lead to industrial and academic research
partnerships. Despite the recession, Ireland won 125 foreign
investments in 2009 and half of those were in research, development
and innovation. We must continue to transform our enterprise and
investment landscape to stay competitive”. In Paris,
Minister O’Keeffe also undertook a number of engagements aimed at
promoting trade between Ireland and France and French investment in
Ireland and met a number of French business representatives and
journalists.








Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miche&#225;l Martin T.D.


The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Miche&#225;l Martin T.D., was in
Paris on 24 March 2010 to meet French Foreign Mr. Minister Bernard
Kouchner. The two Ministers discussed a range of issues
including the Middle East Peace Process, Iran’s nuclear programme,
the situation in Haiti following the earthquake there earlier in
the year, climate change and international environment related
matters. The two Ministers agreed that Ireland and France
would maintain close contact during Ireland’s Presidency of the
OSCE in 2012. Minister Martin a number of important
representatives of the French business community with the aim of
promoting trade and investment in Ireland. He also met French
based members of the Global Irish Network at the Embassy.











Minister for Justice and Law Reform,
Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D.


The Minister for Justice and Law Reform, Mr.
Dermot Ahern T.D., visited Paris from 16-18 March to represent the
Government at a number of events which were organised to mark St.
Patrick’s Day. The Minister met representatives of the French
business community interested in investing in Ireland. He
also met a group of French journalists to brief them on the
economic situation in Ireland and the significant progress being
made on the road to economic recovery. Minister Martin
attended an event hosted by An Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board aimed
at promoting exports of Irish food produce to France and visited
the Tourism Ireland stand at the French Holiday Fair held and the
Centre Culturel Irlandais.




St. Patrick's Day 2010: Message from the President of Ireland, Mary
McAleese



St Patrick's Day message (Irish) (PDF 41kb)



St Patrick's Day message (English) (PDF 34kb)





SOFEIR: (Soci&#233;t&#233; Fran&#231;aise d’Etudes Irlandaises)


President: Pr. Wesley Hutchinson (wesley.hutchinson@univ-paris3.fr)


Secretary: Karine Bigand (kbigand@hotmail.com)


SOFEIR is the French Association for Irish Studies (http://www.sofeir.fr/). It was
established in 1981. Its purpose is to promote the study in France
of all aspects of Irish history, society, culture and literature
and to encourage dialogue on these areas between France and
Ireland. It does this through its annual conferences (March),
through the participation of its members in the various areas of
the French university system and through their presence at major
international Irish studies events. In 1998, it contributed to the
creation of EFACIS, the European Federation of Associations and
Centres of Irish Studies (http://www.efacis.org/) of which it
has remained a prominent member. SOFEIR currently numbers around
200 academics most of whom are members of the French research
network in Irish studies based in the five major centres for Irish
studies at the Universities of Caen, Lille 3, Paris 3, Reims and
Rennes 2. Many members of SOFEIR contribute actively to the
tri-lingual review, Etudes Irlandaises (http://www.pur-editions.fr/detail.php?idOuv=2007)




COURSE IN IRISH LANGUAGE, HISTORY AND CIVILISATION


Certificate in Irish language and contemporary Irish history and
culture


National University of Ireland, Maynooth


Courses are organised at the Centre Culturel Irlandais.
Information: adoherty@centreculturelirlandais.com



http://www.centreculturelirlandais.com/modules/movie/scenes/home/index.php?FUSEBOX_LANG=2



IRISH GROUP U2 WILL PERFORM AT THE STADE DE FRANCE IN PARIS ON
SATURDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2010


http://www.stadefrance.com/u2-360-tour-2010.html

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:31:22 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[About the Embassy]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30661</link>
					<description><![CDATA[

- Opening hours


- Open Day 18 September
   2010



- How to find us



- Diplomatic staff



- Embassy out-of-hours service


-
Email the Embassy


link to passport
office dublin






OPENING HOURS


The Embassy’s public office is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 –
12.00. The entrance to the public office is at 4 rue Rude
(around the corner from 12 Avenue Foch). The Embassy’s
telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 13.00 and
from 14.30 to 17.30. We are closed for some public holidays;
for a list of closure dates in 2010, please click
here.



#back to top


Open Day 18 September 2010


As part of the “Journ&#233;es du Patrimoine &#187; taking place in France on
18 and 19 September 2010, the reception rooms at the Embassy of
Ireland will be open to visitors from 10.00 to 16.00 on Saturday,
18 September. The entrance to the Embassy is at 2 rue
Rude, 75016 Paris. The nearest metro stations are Charles de
Gaulle – Etoile and Argentine. Visitors will be very
welcome.


HOW TO FIND US


How to find us (map): The nearest
   metro station is Argentine on line 1. When you come out of
   the metro station, walk back up the hill towards the Arc de
   Triomphe. The entrance to the Embassy’s public office is
   at 4 rue Rude, which is the second street on the right after you
   exit the metro.


The nearest Velib station is at Rue Traktir.


Embassy of Ireland
12 Avenue Foch
75116 Paris


Main Tel: + 33 1 44176700
Fax: +33 1 44176750



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DIPLOMATIC STAFF



Ambassador – Paul Kavanagh (PDF 229kb)
Counsellor (Political) – Cyril Brennan
First Secretary (Press, Culture, Information) – Donal Kelly
First Secretary (Economic) – Gerald Angley
First Secretary (Agriculture) – Michael Walsh
Second Secretary (Consular) – Meg Laffan
Garda Liaison Officer/Attach&#233; de police- Tom Croke



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EMBASSY OUT-OF-HOURS SERVICE


The Embassy operates an out-of-hours service for Irish citizens
requiring emergency assistance. In case of a genuine emergency,
please ring the Embassy at +33 1 44176700 and leave a message on
the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored
regularly, and the Duty Officer will contact you as soon as
possible. When you leave a message, remember to state your name,
the nature of the problem, where you are now, and the details of
how the Duty Officer can contact you (please leave your mobile
phone number, or the phone number of the hotel/hostel where you are
staying).


Alternatively, you may contact the Duty Officer at the Department
of Foreign Affairs in Dublin at +353 (0)1 408 2000.



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Email the Embassy


Please click here to
email the Embassy



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]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:15:05 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Visa Fees]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30691</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
From the1 March 2004 standard non-refundable Visa Application
Processing Fees apply as follows:


Single Journey - €60
Multiple Journey - €100
Transit- €25


PROCESSING FEE: by cheque or mandate payable to
&quot;Ambassade d'Irlande&quot;.


POSTAL APPLICATIONS: please include a fee
of €8 and a self-addressed enveloppe for return of your
passport and documents.


FREE VISAS: Some applicants are not required to
pay a fee. This includes visa required spouses and certain family
members of EEA citizens (including Irish nationals). Proof of the
relationship must be provided with the application.


In addition, applicants from certain countries are not required to
pay a fee:


Bosnia, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kosovo,
Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Morocco, Peru, Republic of Macedonia,
Serbia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia.


As this changes from time to time information in this regard should
be sought from your local Embassy of Consulate.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:20:02 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Types of Visa]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30689</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
A comprehensive list of the different visa types that are
available, and the documentation required in respect of each, is
available on the INIS website.


The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the
Department of Foreign Affairs or any Irish Embassy or Consulate may
ask for further documentation at any stage.


For ease of reference, separate links for some of the most common
visa types are set out below.


TRAVELLING TO IRELAND AS A
TOURIST


If you are a Visa-required national and you would like to visit
Ireland for a short period (less than 3 months) you will find
useful guidelines and details of requirements for Visit/Holiday
Visa applications here.


For further information on tourism in Ireland please visit the
website of Tourism Ireland.



TRAVELLING TO IRELAND ON
BUSINESS


Business Meeting
If you are a Visa-required national and coming to Ireland for a
business meeting you will find useful guidelines and details of
requirements for Business Visa applications here


ConferenceIf you are a Visa-required
national and coming to Ireland for a conference you will find
useful guidelines and details of requirements for Conference Visa
applications here


Starting a Business in Ireland
If you are a Non-EEA national and you wish to set up a business in
Ireland, you will require Business Permission from the Department
of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. For more information please
click here


STUDYING IN IRELAND


If you require an entry visa for Ireland and would like to study
here, you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements
for Study Visa appplications here.


WORKING IN IRELAND

If you are a national of a country which is not a member of the
European Economic Area (EEA) and you wish to work in Ireland, you
will require authorisation to do so.

For most types of employment, a non-EEA national requires a Work
Permit. For full information on work permits please visit the
website of the Department of Enterprise,Trade and Employment.

A visa-required national who has been issued with a Work
Permit can apply for an Employment visa through their local
Irish Embassy or Consulate. You will find useful
guidelines and details of requirements for Employment Visa
applications here.


For further information on finding work in Ireland, please visit
the F&#193;S website


WORKING HOLIDAYS

Ireland offers young people from Australia, Canada, Hong
Kong, Japan, 
New Zealand and the Republic of Korea
, the chance to work casually to enable them to
spend an extended holiday in Ireland. For further information
on the Working Holiday schemes, please see the Working Holidays in
Ireland page.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:19:47 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Travel Advice]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30777</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Travel advice contents:




News



Insurance



Travel registration



Entry



Money



Crime



Security



Driving



Taxis



Drugs



Property




IN THE EVENT OF AIR TRAFFIC DISRUPTION


Travel Tips


The following information has been given in good faithto
the Department of Foreign Affairs to assist Irish citizens,
however,the Department does not accept any responsibility for
its accuracy at any particular point in time.


In the event of air travel disruption similar to that
linked to volcanic activity in Iceland in April and May 2010, some
alternative options for returning to Ireland are as
follows:


Direct routes to Ireland: Cherbourg-Rosslare and
Roscoff-Cork



Irish Ferries:Cherbourg to Rosslare


Celtic Link:Cherbourg to Rosslare


Brittany Ferries: Roscoff to Cork



Ferry ports with routes to Britain


France



Calais Port – Dover (P&amp;amp;O, Seafrance)


Calais (Eurotunnel – for passengers with cars
only) – Folkestone


Dunkerque – Dover (Norfolk Lines)


Boulogne – Dover (LD Lines)


Dieppe – Newhaven (Transmanche Ferries)


Le Havre – Portsmouth (LD Lines)


Caen – Portsmouth (Brittany Ferries)


Cherbourg – Poole (Brittany Ferries), Portsmouth
(Brittany Ferries &amp;amp; Condor Ferries)


St Malo – Poole (Condor Ferries), Weymouth (Condor
Ferries), Plymouth (Brittany Ferries)


Roscoff – Plymouth (Brittany Ferries)



Alternatives


Belgium – ports / Eurostar


Ostend


Zeebrugge


Brussels (Eurostar)


Holland- ports


Rotterdam


Hook of Holland


Trains


Eurostar operates from Paris, Lille, Calais and Brussels to London
St Pancras. Bookings through www.eurostar.com or (from within
France – premium rates apply) 0892-353539.


Website for booking trains within France: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/


Car Sharing


We are aware of various websites offering car-sharing
possibilities, however, this Department cannot vouch for the
validity of these companies. Any decisions to avail of such
services are taken at a person's own risk.



Advice for motorists


The traditional French summerholiday periods will see
extremely heavy traffic on the weekends of
4 July, 11 July, 1 August and 15 August. Motorists are
advised to allow plenty of extra time and to take regular breaks
ontheir journeys on these weekends, particularly on routes
connecting Paris to the south. As severe traffic jams can
occur on the motorways, you should always ensure that you have
plenty of fuel and to refuel regularlyas it may take much
longer than you think to reach the next service station!


To help plan your journey, you may wish to consult traffic websites
such ashttp://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/diri/Accueil.do,
http://www.sytadin.fr/or
http://www.infotrafic.com/home.phpfor
further information on expected delays onthe most popular
routes. These websites are only available in French; however
the colour-coded maps and graphics can be understood by non-French
speakers.



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TRAVEL INSURANCE


The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that
comprehensive travel insurance, including medical insurance, is
obtained before travelling to France.Travellers should note
that the Irish government does not provide funds for emergency
medical repatriation or for repatriation of remains.


If you are travelling to France for winter sports, please ensure
that your insurance policy covers all of your planned activities.


You should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) free
of charge which entitles you to emergency medical treatment. This
card is NOT a substitute for travel insurance. See www.ehic.iefor further details. The
EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.



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TRAVEL REGISTRATION


Irish citizens travelling or living overseas, outside the Common
Travel Area, (Ireland/Great Britain) are encouraged to register
their contact details with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Registration is voluntary. It is a facility available to all Irish
citizens travelling abroad although it is primarily intended for
those who are travelling to remote destinations or locations where
they may be at risk. For more
information, please visit our Travel Registration page by clicking
here.



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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS


Irish passport holders do not require a visa to enter France.


It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport
with you.During your stay you should carry a photocopy of
your passport at all times. You should ensure that your
passport is valid for the full length of your stay.



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Money


France and Monaco both use the euro. Bank machines are
plentiful in major cities but may be more difficult to find in
rural areas. Irish bank and credit cards are generally
accepted. French retailers use the &quot;chip and pin&quot; system so
be sure that you know your PIN before you leave.Some
shops may ask to see official identification before accepting
foreign credit cards.



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CRIME


Most of France has a moderate to low rate of crime. However,
travellers to France should be aware of the possibility of
petty crime, such as wallet/ handbag theft and
pick-pocketing, particularly at tourist attractions and on the
transport systems (M&#233;tro, RER train in particular the line B that
goes to/from the airports) in the greater Paris area. Some
overnight inter-city trains have also been targeted by
thieves. On metros and trains, take particular care of your
belongings as the doors are closing, as opportunistic
thieveson the platform have been known to snatch passengers'
bags just as the train doors close. If you have been
the victim of theft, you must report it as soon as possible to the
nearest police station &quot;commissariat&quot; or
gendarmerie.


If
your passport is stolen, please click here for additional steps
that you should take. 


If your bank or credit card is lost or stolen, you
should contact your bank or credit card company immediately to
prevent fraudulant use. Please make a note of the contact
deatils for your bank or credit card provider before
travelling. Contact details for the lost/stolen card services
of some of the main Irish banks and credit card companies are
below:


AIB: 00353 1 6685500
Bank of Ireland: 00 353 56 7757007
MBNA: 00 353 71 965 6262
National Irish Bank: 00 353 0 1 4843701
Ulster Bank: 00 353 1 7025108


Theft from vehicles is common, particularly in the
south of France. Drivers should keep doors locked, windows rolled
up and valuables out of sight while driving and parked. In
some tourist areas along the south coast, it is common for drivers
to remove the parcel shelf so that would-be thieves can see that
there is nothing worth stealing in the boot. Mobile homes and
camper-vans have also been targetted by thieves; please ensure that
you take appropriate steps such as an alarm or using a
safety-deposit boxto protect your belongings there.

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SAFETY &amp;amp;
SECURITY


As in other parts of the European Union, the French government is
fully aware of the threat of terrorism and is taking measures to
combat this threat. Visitors to France will notice high levels of
security, particularly in airports and on the railway and metro
systems. As part of the government's
Vigipirate security programme, there is a highly visible
police and army presence in cities and near main tourist
attractions. Many museums, galleries and tourist attractions
have security screening programmes in place and you may be asked to
present your bags for inspection before being admitted.


If travelling by train, your luggage must be clearly marked with
your name and should not be left unattended. Many
left-luggage offices in train stations have been closed for
security reasons; if you are planning to use thesefacilities,
you should try to confirm their availability in advance or make
alternative arrangements.


Strikes, marchesand demonstrations in France often result in
confrontation between the demonstrators and the riot police.
You are advised to exercise caution and to avoid areas where
large-scaledemonstrations are taking place.



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DRIVING / ROAD SAFETY


The Department of Foreign Affairs encourages caution and vigilance
when driving in France, as regulations differ from Ireland in many
areas; for example, the minimum age for driving in France is 18, 17
year olds with valid Irish driving licences are not permitted to
drive on French roads. Provisional licences / learner permits
are not valid in France. Traffic in Francetravels
on the right; if you are not used to driving on the right,be
extra cautious.It may be helpful to stick an arrow or a
&quot;keep right&quot; sign on yourdasboard; this can be
particularlyusefulat roundabouts or whentaking
off from a parking space where your natural instinct may be to head
for the left-hand side of the road.


Visitors to France should be careful to observe local regulations
as penalties for transgressions are applied. Depending on the
offence this can range from an on-the-spot fine, to confiscation of
the driving licence, to imprisonment (for serious offences such as
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or negligent
driving). If your licence is confiscated, you will not be
allowed to continuedriving and your vehicle will be impounded
unless another fully licenced driver is available to drive it.



All vehicles must carry a red reflectivewarning
triangle. This must be displayed 30 metres from the vehicle
in case of a break-down or accident (except in the case of a
break-down on a motorway where it is not safe to walk back 30
metres - in this case the triangle must be displayed a reasonable
distance from the broken-down vehicle, taking into account safety
considerations). From 1 July 2008, all
drivers must also carry a luminous high-visibility vest in the main
body of the vehicle (i.e. not in the boot). The vest is to be
worn in case of a break-down at any time and must be put on before
you get out of the vehicle. Failure to produce the required
safety equipment at an accident/breakdown scene or during a police
inspection can result in a fine. There are frequently police
checkpoints at the exits ofthe major ferry ports to check
whether drivers have the required safety equipment, so it is best
to ensure that you have all the necessary equipment before
travelling to France.


Visitors to France should also be aware that failure to stop and
help a third party in difficulty, should they be witness to an
incident (on the road or elsewhere) is an offence. If you
need to stop on the roadsideto assist, you must put on your
high-visibility vest before leaving your own vehicle, as described
above.


Drivers should be aware that at some but by no means all junctions,
traffic coming from the right has priority and should therefore
takes extra care at all times.


Hundreds of extra speed cameras have been installed across the
country and the police are now especially vigilant on speeding in
an on-going drive to reduce road deaths.


Truck drivers should familiarise themselves with national
regulations, particularly the details on when they are or are not
allowed to use the motorways.


Pedestrians should also be vigilant and aware that the traffic will
be coming from the opposite direction to traffic in Ireland. They
should be particularly aware of the additional danger at night,
when walking along roads without a proper pavement and when
crossing roads even at a designated crossing place.


Paris and many other citiesnow have public bicycle-rental
schemes. As a cyclist, you may not cycle on the footpaths
unless a cycle lane is marked as part of the path, you must obey
all relevanttraffic rulesand you should take
appropriate safety precautions, particularly if you arenot
familiar with cycling on the right-hand side of the road. It
is not recommended that you cycle if you are under the influence of
alcohol. From 1 September 2008, all cyclists
must wear a luminous high-visibility vest when cycling outside
urban areas at night.



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TAXIS


You should only take properly licenced and marked taxis.
Beware of people claiming to be taxi drivers who often tout for
business at the arrivals areas in airports, train stations or at
major bus stations - registered taxi drivers are not allowed to
sollicit business in this way. Drivers of unlicenced taxis
frequently do not respect rules on fares and, more importantly,
will not have undergonesecurity and police checks that are
compulsory forregistered taxi drivers. There have been
recent cases ofassaults on foreign touristsby
unlicenced taxi drivers. If you are in any doubt, do
not use the service.


Licenced taxis are marked by a white roof sign and the driver's
professional identity card displayed on the left-hand side of the
windscreen. A meter will be visible in the centre of the
dashboard and in the rear window, and there will be a sticker in
the left rear window setting out the main rules governing taxis and
fares.



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LOCAL LAWS &amp;amp; CUSTOMS


Illegal Drugs


Visitors to France are reminded that the
importation,consumption and/or trafficking of illegal
substances is a serious offence in France.


If you are found to be in possession of illegal drugs or smuggled
goods, you may be held in pre-trial detention for the investigation
period (which can last for several months or even years). If
your vehicle was carrying illegal drugs or smuggled goods, French
Customsmay impound it for the investigation period.


Buying Property in
France


Irish citizens intending to purchase property in France are
strongly advised to consult an independent legal advisor from the
beginning of the process. You should also be aware that as a
property owner, you may be liable for annual taxes on the value of
your property; please consult a qualified tax or legal advisor for
advice. The Embassy is not in a position to advise on the
purchase of property or to intervene in property disputes.



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DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONSIN FRANCE


Contact details for all Irish Missions (including Honorary
Consuls) in France are available here. (Opens in new
window)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:16:36 UTC</pubDate>
		
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				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Travel between Ireland & France ]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30734</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
AIR TRAVEL


Aer Lingus, Air France and Ryanair provide services from Dublin,
Cork and Shannon to numerous destinations in France. There
are also flights operated by Aer Arann from Cork and Flybe and
Easyjet from Belfast.


TRAVEL BY RAIL


Paris benefits from a large variety of rail connections to other
European capitals such as Amsterdam, Brussels and Berlin. It is
also possible to travel extensively throughout France by
rail.


SNCF is the national train service, including the high-speed TGV
intercity trains. In Paris and in many other French cities,
public transport includes metros, trams and suburban trains.


TRAVEL BY FERRY


Irish Ferries and Celtic Ferries currently serve the port
ofCherbourg from Rosslare. Brittany Ferries also serve
Roscoff from Cork.


DRIVING IN FRANCE


Ensure that you hold a full and valid Irish or international
licence. Driving in France is on the right. You should familiarise
yourself with the French rules of the road. The speed-limit is
generally 50 km/h in build up areas, 90 km/h on main roads and 130
km/h on motorways. The motorway speed limit reduces to 110 km/h if
the road is wet or for heavy vehicles. Fixed cameras and mobile
police patrols carry out speed checks. If found to be speeding, you
will be fined and your licence may be confiscated immediately by
the police.


Most motorways are subject to tolls. Ensure that you have enough
money with you to pay tolls before setting out on your journey, as
Irish credit cards are not always accepted by the machines in toll
booths.


There are severe penalties in France for driving under the
influence of drugs and alcohol. The alcohol limit is 0.25 mg/l. If
you are caught with alcohol in your system while driving it can
lead to heavy on-the-spot fines, confiscation of your licence
and/or imprisonment.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:59:58 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[News & Events Archives]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=33975</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Here you will find a selection of past events held in the Embassy
or with which the Embassy has been associated. 




2009



2008



2007



2009



Filming of a
TV5 Monde documentary on the Embassy, July 2009


Art exhibition
by Tom J. Byrne, June 2009


Visit by
Minister for Finance, May 2009


Inauguration
of Cork-Rennes air link, May 2009


Launch of
Solaris satellite, April 2009


Exhibition of
Irish art at the Embassy


Reception for
Northern Ireland Law Society, March 2009


Launch of the
Convention Centre Dublin, March 2009


Visit of
Minister of State for Food and Horticulture


Signature of
scientific cooperation agreement, January 2009



Back to top


2008



Bord Bia
Christmas trade reception, December 2008


Honorary
Consul of Ireland to Rhone-Alpes Region, December 2008


GAA dinner,
December 2008


Ceann
Comhairle leads Oireachtas delegation, June 2008


Reception for
Garda&#237; participating in Paris marathon, April 2008


Visit of
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, 17 March
2008


Visit of
Minister for Defence to EUFOR HQ, February 2008



Back to top


2007



Plan&#232;te du
Go&#251;t, November 2007


Parnell
Society visit to Paris, September 2007


Visit of the
Taoiseach to Paris, September 2007


Paris Air
Show, June 2007


Brochure
launch for The Great Fishing Houses of Ireland, April 2007



Back to top

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:32:34 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Honorary Consulates]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30662</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Honorary Consuls assist the Embassy by providing a consular service
to Irish citizens within their consular area. While the Honorary
Consuls will endeavour to assist you with your enquiry, you should
be aware that they may not always be in a position to provide the
full range of services that the Embassy in Paris provides.


Please also note that as Honorary Consuls act in an honorary
capacity, there may be times during normal office hours when the
Honorary Consul may not be available to provide immediate
assistance. If this occurs and the matter is urgent, you should
contact the Embassy in Paris directlyfor assistance.


Please note that Honorary Consulates usuallyoperate by
appointment; please telephone before travelling to to the
HonoraryConsulate.


Details of Honorary Consuls in France and Monaco


-
Cherbourg



- Antibes / Cannes



- Lyon



- Monaco



Cherbourg


The Honorary Consul in Cherbourg is Mr. Ole Gregre Bockmann.
The contact details of the Honorary Consulate are:


Honorary Consul of Ireland
Gare Maritime Sud
50100 Cherbourg


Telephone:+ 332 3323 4444
Fax:+332 3323 4440
Email: shamrock@wanadoo.fr



back to top


-------------------------------------


Antibes/Cannes


The Honorary Consul General in Antibes/Cannes is Mr. Pierre
Joannon. The contact details of the Honorary Consulate
General are:


Honorary Consulate General of Ireland
St. Michel
69 Avenue Roi Albert
La Californie
06400 Cannes


Telephone:+ 33 6 77 69 14 36



back to top


-----------------------------------


Lyon


The Honorary Consul inLyon is Mr Bruno Boccard. The
contact details for the Honorary Consulate in Lyon are:


M. Bruno Boccard


Consul Honoraire


158 Avenue Roger Salengro


69100 Villeurbanne


T&#233;l&#233;phone : 04 37 28 18 64


T&#233;l&#233;copie : 04 78 89 64 20


Email : irishconsulat@gmail.com



back to top


-----------------------------------


Monaco


The Honorary Consul inMonaco is Dr. Michael Smurfit.The
contact details of the Honorary Consulate are:


Consulat Honoraire d'Irlande
Le Prince de Galles
5, Avenue des Citronniers
98000 Monaco


Telephone: +377 93 15 70 00
Fax: +377 93 15 95 16



back to top

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:53:40 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Embassy Closure Dates]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30665</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The Embassy is normally open from Monday to Friday. Our
public office is open from 9.30 - 12.00, Monday to Friday, if you
wish to call in person;no advanceappointment is
necessary during these times for passport and visa
applicants. Our telephone lines are open from 9.30 - 13.00
and 14.30 - 17.30, Monday to Friday.


Please note that we will be closed for the following public
holidays in 2010:


PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2010


Friday 1st January


Wednesday 17th March (Saint-Patrick’s day)


Friday 2nd April (Good Friday)


Monday 5th April (Easter Monday)


Thursday 13th May (Ascension day)


Monday 24th May (Pentecost day)


Wednesday 14th July (Bastille Day)


Monday 1st November (All saints)


Thursday 11th November (Armistice 1918)


Monday 27 December (in lieu of 26th December – St-Stephen’s day)


Tuesday 28th December (in lieu of 25th December –
Christmas day)

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:35:35 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[News Update - Liz 2]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=83569</link>
					<description><![CDATA[



May



fdfsfsd (PDF 132kb)






fdfsfsd (PDF 132kb)




June







gdgddfdfgd (PDF 1381kb)

















]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:47:32 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[News Update - Liz]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=83567</link>
					<description><![CDATA[















Please see below a list of the recent and past news events which
may be of interenst to you.


June


May


April


14th - 
News article by Minister Miche&#225;l Martin, entitled &quot;La strat&#233;gie de
l’Irlande pour la reprise&quot; (French) (PDF 217kb)


14th - 
News article by Minister Miche&#225;l Martin, entitled &quot;Ireland:
“significant progress on the road to economic recovery”&quot; (English)
(PDF 77kb)


March


5th - 
News article by Minister Miche&#225;l Martin, entitled &quot;Gaza a Year
Later&quot; (English) (PDF 132kb)


25th - 
News article by Minister Miche&#225;l Martin, entitled &quot;No, Ireland is
not on its back! Despite the crisis affecting the former &#171; Celtic
Tiger &#187;, the potential is still there.&quot; (English) (PDF 1381kb)


February


January

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:47:10 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Visas]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30686</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
VISA HOLDERS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DUE TO
VOLCANIC ASH


The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is aware
that holders of Irish visas may have had their travel arrangements
disrupted in recent days by flight restrictions and cancellations
resulting from the presence of volcanic ash over European air
space. Through no fault of their own, many such people may be
in possession of visas which have just expired or which are about
to expire shortly. INIS also recognises that a certain level
of disruption will continue after air space is reopened and that it
may take some time for normal airline services to be resumed.
INIS intends to adopt the following approach in such
cases:

1. For visas which would have been valid on or after 15
April, 2010, and where the visa holder can produce evidence of a
cancelled flight which was due to fly within the original period of
validity of the visa, INIS will extend recognition of such visas up
to and including 30 April, 2010, or the original date of expiry of
the visa, whichever is later. 

2. This should afford all such visa holders whose travel was
disrupted by the presence of volcanic ash a reasonable period in
which to rearrange flights or to make alternative travel
arrangements. 

3. INIS will adopt a policy of not seeking to impose penalties or
fines on carriers who facilitate such visa holders.

4. Holders of such visas must present to an Immigration Officer in
the normal way on arrival in Ireland and normal entry requirements
will apply. Any person adversely affected by the recent
disruption should be in a position to show evidence of any
cancelled flight to the Immigration Officer at the airport or port
of entry.





GENERAL INFORMATION


The granting of an Irish visa is, in effect, only a form of
pre-entry clearance. It does not grant permission to enter Ireland
and Immigration Officers have the authority to grant or deny
admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control
at the point of entry and should always carry with them the
originals or copies of the documents submitted with their visa
applications for possible inspection by Immigration Officers.

Furthermore, a visa does not grant permission to remain in Ireland.
The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date
before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The
length of stay is decided by an Immigration Officer at the port of
entry.

A visa holder who remains in Ireland longer than the permitted
period and/or who submits false or misleading information in
support of his/her application may become liable for prosecution
and/or subject to deportation.

The granting of a visa is not a mere formality. As a result, the
Embassy will not be held responsible for any cancelled or unused
travel tickets in the event of a visa application not being
processed by an applicant's intended date of travel or where an
application has been rejected by the Department of Justice,
Equality and Law Reform. As a result, we advise all visa applicants
NOT to purchase or book travel tickets until their visa application
has been approved, issued and received

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:47:18 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Authentication of Documents]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30694</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Introduction


The Department of Foreign Affairs can Authenticate\Apostille
documents executed in Ireland that are to be used in other
countries.Irish Diplomatic and
Consular Missions abroad can legalise documents executed
abroad for use in Ireland.

Authenticating a document simply means confirming that a signature,
seal or stamp appearing on the document is genuine.
Legalising a document means authenticating it for the purpose of
making it acceptable to an Irish court.

Authentication and Legalisation do not mean that the content of a
document is accurate or that the Department of Foreign Affairs
approves of the content.


Why do documents need to be Authenticated\Apostilled?


If you are going to use Irish documents overseas, for business or
personal reasons, you may be asked to have your documents
Authenticated\Apostilled by the Department of Foreign Affairs. You
should therefore confirm with the authority to whom you are
presenting the documents what their requirements are with regard to
Authentication\Legalisation.


What is an Apostille?


The 1961 Hague Convention abolished the requirement for Foreign
Public Documents (e.g. birth, death and marriage certificates,
documents issued by a Notary Public) to be legalised for countries
that are parties to the Convention. The Convention entered into
force for Ireland on 9 March 1999. For further information on the
Hague Convention please access their website.

However, countries that are parties to the Convention may request
the bearer of a document issued by a public authority to obtain an
Apostille from the Authorities of the country that issued the
document.

An Apostille involves the addition of a certificate, either stamped
on the document itself or attached to it. It certifies the country
of origin of the document, the identity and capacity in which the
document has been signed and the name of any authority which has
affixed a seal or stamp to the document.


Documents we can Authenticate\Apostille


The Department of Foreign Affairs can Authenticate\Apostille
documents of Irish origin provided that they bear an original
signature, seal or stamp from an Irish practising public official
or organisation. An Irish document means that it originated or has
been executed in Ireland. If a practising Irish solicitor, Notary
Public or Commissioner for Oaths is signing a document they should
state clearly what exactly it is they are certifying in relation to
the document. They must sign their own name and not use a company
signature.


Examples of Documents the Department can Authenticate\Apostille
are:


The Department of Foreign Affairs can Authenticate\Apostille public
documents which have been executed in the territory of One
Contracting State and which have to be produced in the territory of
another Contracting State.


Examples:



Original certificates issued by the General Registers
Office (GRO)


Company documents issued by the Companies Registration Office


Documents signed by the Chambers of Commerce in Ireland


Court documents, Powers of Attorney, and other Notarial Acts can be
Authenticated provided they bear an original signature, seal or
stamp from a practising Irish solicitor\ Notary Public in Ireland


Educational Certificates can be Authenticated provided they fall
within the National Framework of Qualifications established by the
National
Qualifications Authority of Ireland\are recognised
by the Department of Education.


We can also Authenticate\Apostille medical reports signed by a
doctor who is registered with the Medical Council of Ireland.



An appointment is necessary for large numbers of documents and for
full foreign adoption dossiers.


Photocopies of DocumentsWe can
Authenticate\Apostille photocopies of certain types of documents
provided they have been certified by a practising Irish Solicitor
or Notary Public in Ireland. However, you should in the first
instance confirm with the authority to whom you are presenting the
document that a certified copy will be acceptable to them.


How to get your Document Authenticated\Apostilled


Documents that have been executed in Ireland, and which are to be
Authenticated or Apostilled by the Department can be:


Presented to the Department at its Public Office at the following
address:


Consular Section
Department of Foreign Affairs
Hainault House
69 - 71 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2


or sent via post to:


Consular Section
Department of Foreign Affairs
80 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2


Documents sent by post must include the
following:
A brief covering letter stating your name, return address,
telephone number, you must state what country the document(s) are
for use in, and you must include the appropriate
fee.


Tel. (01) 408 2174
(01) 408 2322
(01) 408 2061
(01) 408 2576

For the Munster area:


Consular Services,
Department of Foreign Affairs,
1A South Mall,
Cork

Tel: 021 4944765 / 021 4944766


Opening Hours:The opening hours for the
Public Offices in Dublin and Cork are as follows:
Monday - Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)
0930 - 1300
1430 - 1600

FeesA fee of €20 is charged for each
Apostille or Authentication. There is a standard fee of
€50 for a series of Apostilles or Authentications in relation
to inter-country adoptions.


Please note that there may be an additional administration fee if
applying for these services from our officesabroad. Fees will
be notified on request.


Methods of Payment
This section relates to services available at the Department of
Foreign Affairs in Dublin and Cork.


Payment can be made by Cash, Cheque (made payable to 'Department of
Foreign Affairs'), Postal Order, Bank Draft, or by Credit\Debit
card.


It should be noted that all cheques must be drawn on an Irish bank.


Legalisation


Irish Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad can legalise
documents executed abroad for use in Ireland.


Administering oaths, affirmations and
statutory declarations and certifying copies of documents:


Irish Diplomatic and Consular Officers abroad are empowered under
Irish law to administer oaths, affirmations and statutory
declarations. They can also certify copies of original Irish
documents or translations. 


If you require any of these services, contact your nearest
   Irish Diplomatic or Consular
   Mission.


The fee for these services in local currency and methods of payment
will be notified, on request, by the relevant Mission.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:23:02 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Who needs a Visa?]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30692</link>
					<description><![CDATA[       

Citizens of certain countries require an entry visa for Ireland.


If you are a citizen of a country that is on schedule 1
below,you do NOT require an entry visa for Ireland.
Citizens of countries which are not on the list must apply for a
visa before they travel to Ireland.


Please note that a Schengen or UK visa or residence
permission is NOT valid for travel to Ireland. If you
area national ofa visa-required country you will need
to apply for an Irish visa in advance of travel to Ireland.


Transit VisasARE required by citizens of the
countries listed in schedule 2 below.

All citizens of non-EU countries, whether they require a
visa or not, are subject to immigration control at the point of
entry to Ireland.


SCHEDULE 1



LIST OF COUNTRIES
WHOSE PASSPORT HOLDERS DO NOT REQUIRE VISAS TO ENTER
IRELAND:


ANDORRA
ANTIGUA and BARBUDA
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRIA
BAHAMAS
BARBADOS
BELGIUM
BELIZE
BOLIVIA
BOTSWANA
BRAZIL
BRUNEI
BULGARIA
CANADA
CHILE
COSTA RICA
CROATIA
CYPRUS
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
DOMINICA
EL SALVADOR
ESTONIA
FIJI
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
GRENADA
GUATEMALA
GUYANA
HONDURAS
HONG KONG (Special Administrative Region) (*See further information
below).
HUNGARY
ICELAND
ISRAEL
ITALY
JAPAN
KIRIBATI
LATVIA
LESOTHO
LIECHTENSTEIN
LITHUANIA
LUXEMBOURG
MACAU (Special Administrative Region)
MALAWI
MALAYSIA
MALDIVES
MALTA
MEXICO
MONACO
NAURU
NETHERLANDS
NEW ZEALAND
NICARAGUA
NORWAY
PANAMA
PARAGUAY
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SAINT KITTS &amp;amp; NEVIS
SAINT LUCIA
SAINT VINCENT &amp;amp; THE GRENADINES
SAMOA
SAN MARINO
SEYCHELLES
SINGAPORE
SLOVAK REPUBLIC
SLOVENIA
SOLOMON ISLANDS
SOUTH AFRICA
SOUTH KOREA
SPAIN
SWAZILAND
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND
TAIWAN
TONGA
TRINIDAD &amp;amp; TOBAGO
TUVALU
UNITED KINGDOM&amp;amp; Dependent Territories (noted below)
UNITED STATES of AMERICA
URUGUAY
VANUATU
VATICAN CITY
VENEZUELA


BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES



ANGUILLA
BERMUDA
BRITISH ANTARCTIC TERRITORY (South Georgia, South Sandwich
Islands)
BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORIES(Chagos Archipelago, Peros
Banos, Diego Garcia, Danger Island)
CAYMAN ISLANDS
FALKLAND ISLANDS and DEPENDICIES
GIBRALTAR
MONTSERRAT
PITCAIRN (Henderson, Ducie and Oneno Islands)
St. HELENA and DEPENDICIES (Ascension Island, Tristan Da
Cunha)
The SOVERIGN BASE AREAS of AKROTIRI and DHEKILA
TURKS and CAICOS ISLAND
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS


*HONG KONG SAR


A person in possession of a Hong Kong certificate of identity
requires an entry visa for the State.


Personswho are holders of aBritish Hong
Kong Passportwho have a right of abode in Great
Britain do not require entry visas.


Personswho are holders of aBritish Hong
Kong Passportwho have a right of abode in Hong Kong
only do not require entry visas but they are subject to full
foreign national controls in respect of registration, permission to
remain,work permits etc.


CONVENTION TRAVEL DOCUMENTS


Visas are not required by persons who are holders
ofConvention travel documents issued by the following
countries:


BELGIUM
CZECH REPUBLIC
DENMARK
FINLAND
GERMANY
ICELAND
ITALY
LIECHTENSTEIN
LUXEMBOURG
MALTA
NETHERLANDS
NORWAY
POLAND
PORTUGAL
ROMANIA
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
SWITZERLAND.


Applicants who are holders of Convention travel documents issued by
EEA states should refer to Article 3 of the
   
Immigration Act 2004 Order 2009 (PDF
109kb)(Shortvisits
only).
 

SCHEDULE 2


TRANSIT VISAS ARE REQUIRED BY
CITIZENS OF THE FOLLOWING:



AFGHANISTAN
ALBANIA
CUBA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
ERITREA
ETHIOPIA
GHANA
IRAN
IRAQ
LEBANON
MOLDOVA
MONTENEGRO
NIGERIA
SERBIA
SOMALIA
SRI LANKA
ZIMBABWE

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:16:09 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Information on birth / marriage / death certificates]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=71422</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Please note that the Embassy does not have a role in issuing copies
of birth, marriage or death certificates. To obtain an Irish
birth, marriage or death certificate, please visit the General
Register Office website: www.groireland.ie


Please note thatFrench authorities will often ask for you to
submit a certificate that was issued within the past six months so
you may findneed to request replacement certificates - check
with the authority requesting the certificate in case of
doubt. For all your dealings with the Embassy, for example
for a birth certificate accompanying a passport application, we
will accept the certificate regardless of the date of issue.


For births, marriages or deaths in France, the town hall
&quot;mairie&quot;of the area where the event occurred will
issue the appropriate certificate. In some cases, you may
need to prove that you have a right to obtainthe certificate,
for example, for a death certificate, you may need to show that you
are a relative of the deceased. The local town hall will
advise you of its specific requirements.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:08:18 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Living & Working in Ireland]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=75847</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Practicalities of Moving to Ireland
A detailed guide can be found on the Citizens Information website.

Education in IrelandHere you
will find a description of theEducation system in Ireland and
also a series of links to information on Primary, Secondary and
Third Level Education.


Deptartment of
Education and Science

Working
in Ireland
The rights of EU nationals and non-EU nationals for working in
Ireland.


Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Health Care
in Ireland
An outline of health care services in Ireland, including public and
private health care, and health insurance.


Deptartment of
Education and Science

Useful Links for
Employment Seekers
A useful starting point for job seekers is F&#193;S - Ireland's National
Training and Employment Authority.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:08:21 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[PACS (Pacte civil de solidarité)]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=71408</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The Embassy can issue a &quot;Certificat de c&#233;libat&quot; to Irish citizens
who wish enter into a Pacte Civil de Solidarit&#233;, commonly known as
a PACS, in France.


In all cases, the following documents are required for each Irish
person:


- 
Completed Statutory Declaration form (download by clicking here)
(PDF 10kb)


- Original long form birth certificate


- Copy of Irish passport


- Fee of €20.00


- Please indicate your daytime phone number.


If you would like for your certificat and documents to be returned
by registered post, please enclose a self-addressed
envelopeplusfee of €6.00.


The statutory declaration form must be completed in person either
at the Embassy or before a French notary public “notaire”.


If you wish to have your form witnessed at the Embassy, please
contact us at 01 44 17 67 00 for an appointment. If you
choose to have your statutory declaration witnessed at the Embassy,
there is an additional €15 fee for this service. For your
appointment at the Embassy, you should bring your passport with you
at your appointment time (not a photocopy) and you may be asked for
a second form of ID.


If you choose to complete the statutory declaration with a notaire,
you can complete the rest of the process by mail.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:09:55 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[The Economy]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=75836</link>
					<description><![CDATA[


General Information



10 Key Facts on the Irish Economy 




Public Finances



National Development Plan



Population, Labour Force and Employment



EU Membership



Ireland and the Euro



Monetary Policy



Inward Investment



Outward Investment



Education &amp;amp; Training



Innovation and R&amp;amp;D



Corporation Tax



E-commerce and the New Economy



State-sponsored Bodies



Exports



Imports



General Government Balance



Industry



Foreign Direct Investment



Irish Enterprise Sector



Finance



Services



Industrial relations



Agricualture



Fishing



Tourism



Transport



Energy



Mining/Quarrying



Telecommunications



Newspapers



Radio &amp;amp; Television



The Irish economy has
experienced extraordinary growth over the past fifteen years.
Consolidating the progress made during the 1990s - characterised as
the “Celtic Tiger” phenomenon - it is now one of the world’s most
dynamic, open and globalised economies, with extensive external
trade and investment links. Ireland has consistently topped
the economic growth tables of the 30-member OECD (Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development) and has close to full
employment. GDP growth in 2007 was 5.3% and average income
per head was approximately 145% of the EU average. All
indications are that Ireland will continue to perform well in terms
of GDP growth.


Ireland’s economic success is generally attributed to its highly
educated and flexible workforce; its social partnership model,
which involves close cooperation between government, trade unions
and employers; government measures to ensure macroeconomic
stability and government policies to attract foreign investment;
and membership of the EU, which now provides a market of almost 500
million people.


Ireland has a consistent record of prudent fiscal policy with an
average Government budget surplus of 1.6% of GDP over the past ten
years. The fourth seven-year National Development Plan, which
was launched by the Government in January 2007, provides for total
capital investment of €100 billion (5.4% of GDP) and current
expenditure of €84 billion.


Over the past five years, Irish trade has grown three times faster
than total world trade, with over 80% of all manufacturing output
in Ireland sold in international markets. In an Economist
Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey from 2006, Ireland is ranked as one
of the top countries in the world in which to do business. It
has developed a strong entrepreneurial culture and has one of the
highest rates of new start-up companies in the world.


Ireland is a leading location for Information Communication
Technology (ICT), pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and Dublin
is one of the fastest growing funds management locations in the
world. Ireland is also the centre for digital media in Europe
with major multinational companies locating their European
headquarters and a range of business support activities here.


Ireland has developed as a knowledge-based economy built on
innovation and technology and shaped by the emergence of strong
technology-led and export-focused companies. The Government’s 2006
– 2013 strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation emphasises
the benefits of international collaboration and places research and
development at the heart of Ireland’s economic development. Science
Foundation Ireland (SFI) contributes to enhancing research
capabilities and skills in Irish Universities, particularly in
biotechnology, and information and communications technology.


Ireland receives the top long-term and short-term credit ratings
from all four major international credit rating agencies. These are
based, in particular, on the strong public finances; the favourable
demographic structure and future pension liabilities; a diversified
and flexible economy that has attracted sustained foreign direct
investment inflows in recent years and achieved the highest growth
rate in the EU since 1995; a low debt burden; a high degree of
fiscal flexibility, the business-friendly regulatory environment;
low taxation levels and a highly educated workforce.



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10 Key Facts on the Irish Economy


Please click 
here (PDF 34kb) to access the PDF version of this
document.


Public Finances


There is general agreement among the main political parties on the
broad direction of economic and social policy. National
programmes involving the Government, trade unions, employers,
voluntary organisations and farming representatives acting together
as ‘social partners’ have successfully operated over many years to
bring about economic and social improvement.



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National Development Plan


The National Development Plan 2007-2013, entitled Transforming
Ireland - A Better Quality of Life for All, was launched in January
2007. The Plan is the largest and most ambitious investment
programme ever proposed for Ireland. It builds on, and
consolidates, the achievements of the previous National Development
Plan (2000 – 2006) and provides for a total investment of €183.7
billion: €54.7 billion for investment in economic infrastructure;
€49.6 billion for social inclusion measures (children, people with
disabilities, etc.); €33.6 billion for social infrastructure
(housing, health, justice, etc.); €25.8 billion for human capital
(schools, training, higher education, etc.), and €20 billion for
enterprise, science and innovation.


National Development
Plan



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Population, Labour Force, and Employment


Reversing decades of decline, Ireland’s population has been
steadily increasing since the 1970s, and now stands at over 4.23
million (2007). This is the highest population figure since
the census of 1861 when the population is recorded as 4.4
million. Unemployment was 4.6% in June 2007.



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EU Membership


Ireland’s accession to the EEC in 1973 was a decisive milestone in
opening Ireland to the global economy and reducing its economic
dependence on the UK. Since accession, per capita GDP in
Ireland has increased from almost 60% of the EU average in 1973 to
well over 100% today. Since 1973, the proportion of exports
to non-UK destinations has increased from 45% to over 83% today.



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Ireland and the Euro


The ease with which Ireland qualified for membership of the Euro in
1999 underlined the dramatic improvement in the country’s economy
and public finances. Membership of the Euro was embraced by
Ireland’s internationally oriented business community, which viewed
it as a logical step in the further integration of European markets
and as a boost to Ireland’s credibility as a location for
internationally mobile investment.



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Monetary Policy


In May 1998, Ireland, having satisfied entry criteria covering
public finances, the exchange rate, the interest rate and
inflation, qualified as one of the first round of participants to
adopt the new EU currency. Along with 11 other EU Member States,
Ireland now participates in Economic and Monetary Union which
commenced on 1 January 1999. The Euro was introduced as the unit of
currency on 1 Jan 2002.


On 1 January 1999 the Eurosystem,
comprising the European Central Bank (ECB) and National
Central Banks (NCBs) of the EU Member States which adopted the
euro, assumed the task of formulating and implementing the single
monetary policy for the euro area. The objective of the single
monetary policy is price stability. In order to make the
appropriate interest-rate decisions to maintain price stability,
the ECB, along with all other major central banks, has a clear and
coherent conceptual framework for the policy-making process. This
is referred to as the monetary-policy strategy.



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Inward Investment


Inward investment has been critically important to Ireland’s
economic development, providing tens of thousands of jobs,
disseminating technological know-how and expertise within the wider
economy, linking up with indigenous industry, boosting
productivity, and underpinning export growth.



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Outward Investment


Outward investment by Irish companies has increased noticeably in
recent years, albeit from a very low historic base. This emerging
trend is consistent with the pattern observed in other economies as
they move to higher stages of economic development.



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Education and Training


Education and Training is a vital component of Ireland’s
knowledge-based economy, and is a priority investment under the
National Development Plan. Ireland enjoys one of the best
education systems in the world, with approximately 1 million people
in full time education.



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Innovation and R&amp;amp;D


R+D in Ireland has expanded dramatically in recent years reflecting
the Irish government’s massive injection of funding into the
sector. Leading global companies have found Ireland to be an
excellent location for knowledge-based activities. The young Irish
workforce has shown a particular aptitude for the efficient
collection, interpretation and dissemination of research
information.



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Corporation Tax


Since 2003 Ireland’s corporate tax regime has been fixed at a rate
of 12.5%. This applies to all Irish corporate trading
profits. A rate of 25% applies to non-trading (passive)
income. Existing overseas operations, which were eligible for
a 10% rate, will retain entitlement to this rate until the end of
the year 2010.



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E-Commerce and the New Economy


The Irish government has moved decisively to prepare Ireland for
the e-commerce age. Initiatives undertaken include the
liberalisation of the telecommunications market, a substantial
investment programme in broadband infrastructure and introduction
of the most e-commerce friendly regulatory environment in Europe.


Ireland is acknowledged to be one of the most outward looking and
open economies in the EU. It is therefore sensitive to
changes in the global economy.



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State-Sponsored Bodies


There are about 100 State-sponsored bodies in Ireland employing
about 57,000 people. They are engaged in a wide variety of
activities including transport, energy and the promotion of
tourism, trade and industrial development.


During the 1990s the Government privatised certain sectors of the
economy including steel and telecommunications. In addition,
the Government has liberalised such sectors as air transportation
and electricity generation.


There is more information about the State-sponsorded bodies in the
Business in Ireland Section.



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Exports


In 2007 Ireland’s exports amounted to €88.6 billion. In 2006
the principal destinations for Irish exports were: United States
18%, Great Britain 18%, Belgium 14.3%, Germany 7.5% and France 6%.
The top five categories of Irish Exports for 2006 were: medical
&amp;amp; pharmaceutical products, organic chemicals, office machines
&amp;amp; automatic data processing machines, electrical machinery,
apparatus &amp;amp; appliances &amp;amp; parts and miscellaneous
manufactured articles. In 2006, exports of services were valued at
€55 billion.



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Imports


In 2007, Ireland’s imports were valued at €62.1 billion. The
principal sources of imports were Great Britain 30%, United States
11.3%, Germany 9%, China 8% and Netherlands 4.2%. The top
five categories of Irish Imports for 2006 were: office machines
&amp;amp; automatic data processing machines, electrical machinery,
apparatus &amp;amp; appliances &amp;amp; parts, road vehicles (include
air-cushion vehicles), miscellaneous manufactured articles and
petroleum, petroleum products &amp;amp; related materials. Imports of
services were valued at €62 billion, Irelands main services
partners were the US, Great Britain, Germany and Italy.



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General Government Balance


The Exchequer recorded a surplus of 0.5% of GDP in 2007. The
projected budgetary position over the period 2008 - 2009 is for a
General Government budget deficit of 0.9% of GDP in 2008 and a
deficit of 1.1% of GDP in 2009. The debt-to-GDP ratio will be
maintained among the lowest in the euro area – around 28% for the
forecast period – in line with the Government’s long-term
priorities. The market value of the assets of the National
Pensions Reserve Fund is estimated to be €21 billion at end 2007, a
sum equivalent to 13% of GNP.



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Industry


The Industrial sector has a highly skilled technological labour
pool. Within this high technology grouping, the most active sectors
currently are life sciences, medical and information technology
sectors. Many of the world’s leading companies have
subsidiaries in Ireland which perform very successfully in
comparison to those based in other EU countries.


Three agencies deal with industrial development in Ireland. Forf&#225;s
provides overall policy advice and co-ordination for enterprise
development and science, technology and innovation in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland helps develop Irish-based enterprise with the
potential to trade internationally. IDA Ireland, has responsibility
for securing new investment in manufacturing and internationally
traded services. It also has responsibility to encourage existing
Foreign Direct Investors to expand and develop their businesses in
Ireland.


There are also a number of regional development agencies such as
Shannon Development which was set up in 1959 to promote Shannon
International Airport and &#218;dar&#225;s na Gaeltachta, which is the
regional authority responsible for the economic, social and
cultural development of the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking parts of the
country).



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Foreign Direct Investment


Over 1000 overseas companies have established operations in
Ireland. They are a key driver of the economy employing some
135,000 people directly and many more indirectly. They
account for one quarter of GDP and over 80% of exports. The
focus of IDA Ireland is to attract foreign investment that is of
high value, requiring high skill levels and a sophisticated
business environment.


Key areas of focus are:


-
advanced manufacturing projects in the ICT,pharmaceuticals
and biopharmaceuticals, medical technologies,engineering and
consumer products sectors


- high
value internationally traded services sectors in software,
financial services, shared services and customer support activities


Shannon Development has responsibility for the Shannon Free Zone,
Ireland's largest cluster of North American investments. There are
110 companies in the free zone employing 7,500 people, with total
trade in the zone valued at €2.5 billion.



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Irish Enterprise Sector


Enterprise Ireland client companies employ in excess of 141,091
people in Ireland (2006). Total export sales from Enterprise
Ireland clients were valued at €11,779 billion in 2006. The key
sectors in 2006 for Enterprise Ireland clients in order of exports
were Food and Retail, (€7,849 billion), Industrial and Life
Sciences, (€2,493 billion ), Software and services, (€1,437
billion). The largest export markets for Enterprise Ireland Clients
are Northern Europe (€6,740 billion), Southern Europe (€1,377
billion), America's (€1,299 billion), Germany, Central and Eastern
Europe (€849 million), Asia (€654 million), the Rest of the World
(€ 154 million).


&#218;dar&#225;s na Gaeltachta supports businesses in developing new
markets, technologies, products and strategic alliances through
research and development. Gaeltacht companies span a range of
commercial sectors, including tourism, fish processing and
aquaculture, renewable energy, food, life sciences, ICT, niche
manufacturing, audio visual and digital media, arts and crafts.
Over 12,000 people are employed in &#218;dar&#225;s na Gaeltachta client
companies.


InterTradeIreland is a North/South Implementation Body established
in 1999 pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement, promotes trade and
business on an all-island and cross-border basis, and works to
enhance the global competitiveness of the all-island economy to the
mutual benefit of Ireland and Northern Ireland.





National Development Plan




Foras &#193;iseanna
Saothair (National Training Authority)




Higher Education and
Training Awards Council




Further Education
and Training Awards Council




National Centre for
Partnership and Performance




National
Qualifications Authority of Ireland




National Standards
Authority of Ireland




Economic and Social
Research Institute




Science Foundation
Ireland




Irish Business and
Employers Confederation




Central Bank
of Ireland






Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment




Forf&#225;s




IDA
Ireland




Enterprise Ireland




Shannon
Development




&#218;dar&#225;s na
Gaeltachta




Intertrade Ireland






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Finance


Dublin's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), which was
set up by the Irish Government with EU approval in 1987, is
globally recognised as a leading location for a range of
internationally traded financial services, including banking, asset
financing, fund management, corporate treasury management,
investment management, custody and administration and specialized
insurance operations.


More than 430 international operations are approved to trade in the
IFSC, while a further 700 managed entities are approved to carry on
business under the IFSC programme. The centre is host to half
of the world's top 50 banks and to half of the top 20 insurance
companies. It is expected that the International Financial
Services Centre will continue to make a major contribution to
Ireland and the goal of policy is to ensure that we will continue
to attract new operations and provide a supportive business
environment for this important sector.





Department of
Finance




International
Financial Services Centre




Office of the
Comptroller and Auditor General




National Treasury
Management Agency





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Services


The service sector in Ireland accounts for over half of GDP and for
65 per cent of employment. Throughout the last decade output of
services has grown strongly, largely as a result of growth in
financial services, telecommunications and tourism.



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Industrial Relations


Over 50 per cent of the employee labour force are organised in
trade unions of which there are 50 in Ireland. The Irish Congress
of Trade Unions is the national co-ordinating body for most of
these. The Irish Business and Employers Confederation represents
the interests of employers at national level.


The Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are the
principal mediation bodies. Their role is to assist in the
settlement of disputes.





Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment




Labour Relations
Commission




Labour
Court




Equality
Authority




Irish Congress of
Trade Unions




Irish Business and
Employers Confederation






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Agriculture


The Agri-Food industry makes a significant contribution to the
Irish economy. The combined agri-food and drink sector had
exports of over €8 billion in 2006 and accounts for almost 9% of
GDP and directly employs 166,000 people. In particular, the
industry plays a major role in the indigenous sector, with
approximately 50% of exports from Irish owned companies deriving
from agri-food and drink companies. The linkage of the
agri-food sector to the rest of the economy is exceptionally high
and, given its low import content, the sector currently contributes
in the order of 20% to net foreign earnings from merchandise
exports.


Of the total land area of approximately 7 million hectares (17
million acres), 5 million hectares (12.32 million acres) are
utilised for agricultural purposes (including forestry).
Cattle-raising and dairying are by far the most important sectors
of the agricultural industry, and livestock (mainly cattle) and
livestock products (principally milk), account for 76 per cent of
the value of gross agricultural output. The main crops are
barley, wheat, potatoes and mushrooms.





Department
of Agriculture and Food




Bord Bia




Teagasc
(Agriculture &amp;amp; Food Development Authority)




Food Safety Authority
of Ireland






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Fishing


The Irish seafood industry provides employment for over 15,000
people. It makes a significant contribution to the economic
and social fabric of the many small communities located in mainly
rural areas or small towns and villages around the 7,500 kilometres
of our coastline.


Total Irish sales of
seafood in 2007 on the home and export markets amounted to €803
million which represents an increase of 9% on the previous
year. The main contributor to the growth in revenue was the
ongoing rapid growth of the domestic market with seafood sales to
the retail sector valued at €169 million, up by 7% on 2006 and
sales to food service valued at €213 million, an increase of
5%. The increase in sales was mainly driven by the growing
consumer awareness of the health and nutritional benefits of
seafood.


Approximately half of the increase in domestic seafood sales was
met through increased imports which grew by 16% to reach €144
million in 2006. In contrast, export sales were up by a mere
2% to reach €362.2 million. This was the result of sharply
opposite trends with pelagic fish exports (e.g. mackerel) falling
by 27% (€78.8 million) while increased exports were recorded for
all other categories, the most notable being the increase of 16% in
shellfish exports (€147 million).





Department of
Communications, Energy &amp;amp; Natural Resources




Bord Iascaigh
Mhara






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Tourism


In 2007, overseas tourist visits to the whole island of Ireland
increased by more than 4% to 9.1 million, a new record. These
increases in visitor numbers, and the associated growth in tourist
spending, have provided the foundations on which the tourism
industry’s enhanced contribution to the national economy has been
built. Expenditure by visitors to Ireland, both North and
South, is estimated to be worth €4.5 billion in 2007. It is
estimated that the total number of people employed in the Irish
tourism and catering industry in 2007 was over 230,000. The
industry is Ireland’s biggest indigenous employer and is a major
contributor to the Irish economy. Allowing for indirect and induced
effects, tourism accounted for 3.8% of GNP in 2007.


Tourism Ireland was established under the framework of the Belfast
Agreement of Good Friday 1998 to co-ordinate the work of the two
tourist boards on the island, F&#225;ilte Ireland and the Northern
Ireland Tourist Board, who are responsible for product and
enterprise development and marketing to tourism consumers within
the island of Ireland.


Ireland’s successful tourism industry is built around the three
themes: Irish people; Irish culture and the physical beauty of the
country. The people of Ireland are recognised for being friendly,
charming and witty. They are attentive but relaxed and welcoming.
These characteristics allow our visitors to interact easily with
local people and connect with the island on a human level. Culture
on the island of Ireland reflects the character of its people and
the beauty of its landscape and historic sites. Visitors can vary
the pace of their holiday experience, from a relaxed appreciation
of the historic culture to a more active involvement in the vibrant
living culture. Ireland is also celebrated as a rich tapestry of
breathtaking landscapes and seascapes steeped in history creates a
varied experience for the visitor, all within easy reach. It is an
experience that fills the senses – an energising journey of
discovery and enrichment





Department of Arts, Sport &amp;amp; Tourism




F&#225;ilte
Ireland




Tourism
Ireland




Tourism
Information
(Domestic)






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Transport


Coras Iompair &#201;ireann (CIE) is the national statutory public
transport service in Ireland. The CIE group of companies comprises
a holding company and three subsidiary operating companies which
provide train, bus, coach and ancillary services throughout the
country. Iarnr&#243;d &#201;ireann (Irish Rail) operates the nationwide
mainline rail services, the Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) and
other suburban rail services as well as rail freight services. Bus
&#201;ireann (Irish Bus) operates a comprehensive network of bus
services outside Dublin City, including expressway inter-urban
coach services; city buses in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford;
rural bus services; and international services. Bus &#193;tha Cliath
(Dublin Bus) operates urban bus services in the greater Dublin
area. The latest addition to the country’s public transport system
came with the opening of the Luas lines in 2004. Luas is a
Light Rail Transit (LRT) system (a public transport tram system)
that operates in Dublin.


An integrated transport system for Dublin, to include seven new
Luas projects, two Metro lines, an underground station at St.
Stephen's Green integrating all services and the Western Rail
Corridor are among the investments outlined in Transport 21, the
Government's €34.4 billion transport investment plan.


There is a significant investment programme underway upgrading the
national roads system. More than €16 billion is being spent
improving the inter-urban motorway network. This is undertaken by
the National Roads Authority.


The majority of passengers visiting Ireland use one of the main
airports - Dublin, Shannon and Cork. There are also a number of
regional airports throughout the country. Dublin Airport is
Ireland's busiest airport and is also amongst the ten busiest
airports in Europe. Dublin Airport manages an average of
60,000 passengers per day, rising to 80,000 during the peak season,
and more than 600 aircrafts movements every day. The Dublin Airport
Authority is investing €2 billion in new and improved facilities in
the airport.





Department of
Transport




Irish Aviation
Authority




Commission for
Aviation Regulation




Irish
Ferries




Iarnr&#243;d
&#201;ireann




Coras Iompair
&#201;ireann




Bus &#193;tha
Cliath




Bus &#201;ireann




Dublin Airport Authority




Aer Lingus




Ryanair




National Roads
Authority




Transport
21




Dublin
Airport






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Energy


The Government’s Energy Policy Framework for the period 2007-2020
was published in March 2007. The policy aims to deliver a
sustainable energy future for Ireland. Although Ireland faces
similar energy challenges to those being confronted worldwide, the
Irish situation is made more acute by our small energy market,
peripherality and limited indigenous fuel resources.
Sustained economic growth and population growth also add to the
challenges for Irish energy policy. There are however major
opportunities to be realised in harnessing the full potential of
Ireland’s renewable and bioenergy resources.


The National Development Plan 2007-2013 will see some €8.5billion
in investment in energy, funded in part by the Exchequer, by the
Semi-State Energy Bodies and from other non-public sources.


While Ireland is totally dependent on imports for its oil supply,
the proportion of primary energy derived from oil has been reduced
significantly in the last decade in line with EU policy.


Ireland has a largely stand-alone electricity grid. An
electricity interconnector with Northern Ireland was
re-commissioned in 1995 and is used to optimise peak demand
management. Electricity demand has continued to rise,
however, and a major task for the electricity industry is to
increase generation resources in line with electricity demand.


There has been close cooperation with Northern Ireland on energy
issues over the past few years. A key outcome was the joint
publication of the All-island Energy Market Development Framework
in November 2004. The Framework sets out the commitment of
both Governments to achieving a single energy market.


The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is the State-owned generator and
distributor of electricity. From 2000, under an EU Directive,
the electricity market is open to competition. The Commission
for Electricity Regulation, established in 1999, licences the
generation and supply of electricity.


Natural gas from Irish offshore fields is making an important
contribution towards energy requirements. Bord G&#225;is &#201;ireann (the
Gas Supply Board) is a State-owned company responsible for the
supply, transmission and distribution of natural gas. It
operates transmission lines bringing gas from Kinsale Head, off the
coast of Cork, and from the North Sea gas fields through a sub-sea
interconnector pipeline. Among new pipelines being added is a
major east/west gas pipeline to Galway.


Peat development in Ireland is undertaken by a State enterprise,
B&#243;rd na M&#243;na (Peat Development Board), which has been a world
leader in exploitation techniques. Ireland has one of the world’s
highest levels of peat output.



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Mining and Quarrying


Ireland is a leading producer of zinc and lead. There are three
underground mines, Navan, Co. Meath, Lisheen, Co. Tipperary, and
Galmoy, Co. Kilkenny.


The three mines together account for approximately 40% of Western
European zinc metal, and 30% of its lead, all of which is exported
as concentrates. Ireland is also a significant producer of gypsum,
from an open-cast mine at Knocknacran, Co. Monaghan. The gypsum is
used in Ireland’s building industry, with some being exported.


The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is
responsible for policy and regulation of mineral exploration and
mining. The Department is also charged with promotion of
exploration and development of Ireland’s minerals. On a day-to-day
basis, these responsibilities are dealt with by the Department’s
Exploration and Mining Division (EMD). EMD maintain two websites,
one of which is aimed at industry (www.minex.ie) and the other is for the
general public (www.emd.ie).


Ireland also has a significant quarrying industry, producing sand,
gravel and aggregate for the construction sector, and ground
limestone for agriculture. Quarrying is regulated by local
authorities.



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Telecommunications


The Communications Regulator (ComReg) is the statutory body
responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications
sector (telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting
transmission) and the postal sector.


Electronic communications in Ireland are among the most advanced
and sophisticated in Europe. Major providers of telecommunications
services include Eircom, BT, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and 3 Ireland.
Eircom, the principal provider of fixed line telecommunication
services was formerly a State-owned company, Telecom &#201;ireann. In
line with EU policy the telecommunications market in Ireland was
fully liberalised in 1998 and Telecom &#201;ireann was privatised in
1999. The organisation which manages the roll out of broadband on
behalf of the State in Ireland’s regional towns and cities is
E-Net. There is also a State-run telecommunications network, HEAnet
dedicated to linking the third level
institutions.


The Irish Government, by a combination of imaginative legislation,
high-quality infrastructure and favourable tax treatment, is
promoting Ireland as an e-commerce hub. The Electronic
Commerce Act, which came into force in 2000, signalled a flexible
approach to regulation and created equivalence in law between
electronic documents, contracts, signatures and seals and their
paper-based equivalents.


Ireland has major international fibre-optic connectivity. As
part of its policy of regionalisation, the Government has spent €65
million providing high speed broadband connectivity to 26 principal
towns around the country. A further 90+ towns are currently being
prepared for phase two of this project.


The Government is also supportive of the creation of a North/South
digital corridor and the provision of satellite-based broadband
services aimed at remote areas of the country. There is also a
commitment to ensure that every primary and secondary school
in the country will have broadband connectivity.





Department of
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources




Electricity Supply
Board




Bord G&#225;is




Bord na M&#243;na




Sustainable
Energy Ireland




Commission for Energy
Regulation




Commission for
Communications Regulations




E-Net




HEAnet






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Newspapers


Newspapers have been published in Ireland for over 300 years. The
main morning daily broadsheet papers are The Irish Independent, The
Irish Times and The Irish Examiner. There are also two
evening newspapers, The Evening Herald and The Evening Echo and six
Sunday newspapers, The Sunday Tribune, The Sunday Independent, The
Sunday World, The Sunday Business Post, Irish Daily Mail on Sunday
and The Star on Sunday. There are two Irish language weekly
newspapers: L&#225; and Foinse.


There are also about 60 local newspapers usually published weekly
and a wide variety of magazines dealing with current affairs,
economic issues and leisure interests. British newspapers and
magazines circulate widely in Ireland and some titles publish
separate Irish editions.


In 2007 the Press Council of Ireland was established by the
Industry itself and in the same year the Government established the
Office of Press Ombudsman. Their main objectives are:


- to provide the public with an independent forum for resolving
complaints against the press;


- to resolve all complaints quickly, amicably and free of charge;


- to maintain the high standards of Irish journalism and
journalistic ethics;


- to defend the freedom of the press and the freedom of the public
to be informed.





The Irish
Times




Irish
Independent




Irish
Examiner




Sunday Business
Post




The Sunday
Times




Sunday
Independent




The Sunday
Tribune




Evening Echo




Foinse




Press Council
of Ireland (and Press Ombudsman)






Top of Page


Radio and Television


The National radio and television service is operated by Radio
Telef&#237;s &#201;ireann (RT&#201;), the public broadcasting company which
transmits on two television and five radio channels. RT&#201; derives
its revenue from licence fees and the sale of advertising time. In
addition to the wide availability of British radio and television
programming, satellite broadcasts are achieving an increasing
audience.


Irish speakers are served by a dedicated radio channel, Radio na
Gaeltachta (operated by RT&#201;) and by TG4, an independent Irish
language television channel.


The Radio and Television Act 1988 established the Broadcasting
Commission of Ireland (formally the Independent Radio and
Television Commission), which has responsibility for licensing and
overseeing the operation of independent radio and television
broadcasting. In recent years, quite a number of independent
regional radio stations and community radio initiatives have
emerged all over the country and have gained a substantial
audience. There are two national independent radio stations,
Today FM and Newstalk, and a national independent commercial
television station, TV3. Both Today FM and TV3 were launched in
1998. Newstalk was launched nationally in September 2006.





Radio Teilif&#237;s
&#201;ireann




TG4




TV3




Today FM




2 FM




Radio 1




Newstalk




Broadcasting
Commission of Ireland (BCI)






Top of Page

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:09:47 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Irish Citizens Travelling to USA]]></title>
					<link>http://192.168.99.95/home/index.aspx?id=30677</link>
					<description><![CDATA[


Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)



Passport Requirements




Changes to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) - Emergency/Temporary
Passports




Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA)


ESTA is an electronic registration system requiring travellers who
are part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to register in advance of
travelling to the USA. Mandatory registrationhas come into
force since 12 January 2009.


Visa Waiver travellers should register through the Department of
Homeland Security website at the following address: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.


Registration is free and may be done by third
parties e.g. travel agencies. Sites requesting payment for
registration should not be used.


ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, and
once approved, generally will be valid for up to two years or until
the applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first.
Authorisations will be valid for multiple entries into the U.S. The
Department of Homeland Security recommends that ESTA applications
be submitted at least 72 hours in advance of travel.


An applicant who does not receive authorisation to travel will need
to go to their nearest U.S. Diplomatic or Consular Mission and
apply for a visa.


An ESTA approval does not determine admissibility into the United
States. The final decision for entry to the United States rests
with US immigration authorities at the port of entry.


The ESTA programme does not apply to Irish citizens who are holders
of a visa for the United States.


For more information on ESTA, please visit http://www.cbp.gov/ESTA


Passport Requirements
 

Since 16 June 2005 persons traveling to the United States have been
required to present a machine readable passport to avail of the
U.S. Visa Waiver Programme. Otherwise they must obtain a visa, in
advance, from their nearest U.S. Diplomatic or Consular Mission.


Ireland is one of the countries that can avail of visa waiver
status and has been issuing machine readable passports since 1993.





A machine readable passport has two lines of text in the form
of letters, numbers and chevrons (&amp;lt;&amp;lt;&amp;lt;) at the bottom of
the personal information page.


New passports issued by Visa Waiver Program countries after 25
October 2006 must be ePassports, which include an integrated
computer chip capable of storing biographic information from the
data page, as well as other biometric information, such as the
required digital photograph of the holder. Ireland commenced
issuing ePassports on 16 October, 2006.





You can identify an ePassport by the logo at the bottom
of the cover





Machine readable passports issued before 16 October 2006 are
still valid for travel to the US until their date of expiry.


Changes to Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Travel for Bearers of
Emergency/Temporary Passports


Ending the E-Passport Exemption


Passports issued by the Passport Office or by our Missions abroad
in emergency situations are not ePassports. Since the introduction
of the ePassport in 2006 requirement it has been possible for Irish
citizens to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program
using one of these Passports. However, From July 1, 2009 the US
authorities will only permit entry to their territory on an
emergency passport if the traveller has been issued with a
Visa.


Irish Emergency Passport






You can recognise an Irish emergency Passport as it has a green
cover and contains only 8 pages. It is machine readable and has a
digital photograph.


Further information on entry requirements for the US can be found
at http://dublin.usembassy.gov/emergency_temp_ppts.html

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:17:25 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
		
	</channel>
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