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Doing business & staying in touch

Business style is informal; first names are used and although suits are worn, jackets may be taken off. Above all, visitors should avoid treating their Irish hosts as anything other than the modern Europeans that they are. Small talk, leading to trust, is an important element, so plenty of time should be allowed to complete a deal. Irish wit is fast flowing and engaging and is evident in most business situations. Discussion of Irish political issues is best avoided. It is advisable to steer clear of business visits in the first week of May, during July, August and at Christmas or New Year.

In Dublin, due to traffic congestion during rush hour, breakfast meetings are growing in popularity. Lunch meetings are frequent, although meeting in a pub or bar (from around 1730 onwards) for a few beers and/or for dinner (at around 2000) is also common.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1700/1800.

Economy: 

Ireland's recent economic history is characterised by what is now the cliché of the 'Celtic Tiger'. Along with Portugal as one of the clear winners of a vigorous EU membership, Ireland transformed from one of the more struggling developed countries (largely because of large scale migration) in Europe to one of the most successful and wealthy, wiping out the brain drain it had suffered. In 2005, the Economist rated it as having the best quality of life.

Like much of western Europe, the knowledge industry is becoming much more important, as is tourism. However, agriculture remains a diminishing, but key sector; beef and dairy dominate the sector, with runners up potatoes, barley and wheat.

After a long growth spurt, this economic boom came to a halt in 2008 with the start of the global economic downturn, suffering greatly - the property bubble was particularly inflated here. The latest impact of the global recession has seen the Irish economy slump, with Ireland recently accepting an £70bn bail-out from the IMF and EU in order to shore up the country’s balance sheet. The political fall-out from the crisis saw an early general election called in March 2011, with Fine Gael ousting incumbents Fianna Fáil to gain to become the biggest party and form a coalition with Labour. A modest return to growth is expected in 2011.

Fáilte Ireland
Bord Fáilte, Baggot Street Bridge, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: (1) 602 4000.
www.failteireland.ie/

Chambers of Commerce of Ireland
17 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel: (1) 400 4300.
www.chambers.ie

GDP: 

US$204.3 billion (2010).

Main exports: 

Machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and animals.

Main imports: 

Data processing equipment, transport equipment, grains, textile yarns, and chemicals.

Main trading partners: 

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands.

Staying in touch in Ireland

Mobile phone: 

Roaming agreements exist with a broad range of international mobile phone carriers, and coverage is good.

Internet: 

Internet is readily available, and internet cafés exist in nearly every town.

Post: 

The General Post Office is in O'Connell Street, Dublin.

Post office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1730/1800; Sat 0900-1300. Sub-post offices close at 1300 one day a week.

Media: 

The national public broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) dominates the radio and TV sector. It provides a comprehensive service in both English and Irish. The Irish print and broadcast media operate freely within the confines of the law. Broadcasting is regulated by a commission appointed by the Department of Communications. The Competition Authority safeguards against unfair competition in the press sector. Cross-media ownership is permitted within certain limits - press groups may own up to 25% of local radio and TV stations.

There are several daily newspapers published in Dublin including Evening Herald, the Irish Independent and The Irish Times; in Cork are the Evening Echo and Irish Examiner. British dailies and Sunday papers are widely available.

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