Europe

Ireland
Last reviewed: 18 June 2009

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Ireland's Relations with the International Community

Ireland is a committed member of the EU and has participated actively in its evolution since joining in 1973

Ireland is also an active member of the United Nations where it lends its support to the Millennium Development Goals. Since 1958, the Irish Defence Force have had a continuous presence on UN peace support operations, mainly in the Middle East. Irish forces currently participate in several UN peacekeeping missions notably in Kosovo and Africa.

Close links are maintained with the USA where there is a significant Irish American population. Ireland’s diaspora spreads all over the world and the country has close ties with Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Ireland has diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries, with 70 Irish Embassies, Consulates-General and Permanent Representatives throughout the world.

Irish Aid

Ireland administers a significant overseas aid programme through a variety of forums and has pledged itself to meet the UN target of 0.7% of GDP spent on aid by 2012.

Irish Aid is the Government's Official Development Co-operation programme. It provides long-term and emergency support to developing countries to alleviate poverty and strengthen their capacity to help themselves. Funding is directed through programmes and projects in targeted countries, or through multilateral aid agencies.

In recent years Irish Aid has contributed to a number of new areas such as work to combat drugs and AIDS as well as increasing contributions to projects run by organisations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP and UNFPA.

Ireland's relations with the UK

The bilateral relationship with Ireland has never been stronger with frequent contact between Ministers and officials. We co-operate on a wide range of political and economic topics (see www.britishembassyinireland.fco.gov.uk). The British Council also has an office in Dublin to coordinate cultural and learning opportunities (www.britishcouncil.org/ireland).

Parliamentary Links

The British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) brings together representatives from the British and Irish Parliaments and the UK devolved Parliaments and assemblies. The Irish chair is Niall Blaney TD. The British chair is currently vacant. See www.biipb.org for more details.The British Irish Association

Recent Visits

The continuing closeness in relations has been marked by a series of high-level visits.

Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint in November 08
The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband in September 08
The Lord Mayor visited Ireland and Northern Ireland in May 2008
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is a frequent visitor to Ireland.

There have also been a number of recent successful Royal visits to Ireland:

In April 2008, HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited.
The Princess Royal attended a charity engagement with The Wooden Spoon Society and Riding for the Disabled Ireland in February 2008.
The Duke of York visited in February 2007.

British Council: Ireland

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Useful Links

Contacts

Ireland, Dublin, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
29 Merrion Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4

Telephone:

(353) (1) 205 3775 Trade and Investment
(353) (1) 205 3742 Press & Public Affairs enquiries only
1570 214 666 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 0906 664 1717 (from the UK, charged at £1.50 per minute). All passport enquiries are handled on our behalf by Abtran.
1570 214 314 (in Ireland, charged at €1.75 per minute) or 00 353 76 670 9865 (if calling outside of Ireland, callcharged at $14). All UK visa enquiries are handled on our behalf by WordBridge Service.

Fax:

(353) (1) 205 3885 Management
(353) (1) 205 3880 Trade and Investment
(353) (1) 205 3731 Chancery
(353) (1) 205 3890 Visa
(353) (1) 205 3820 Passports
(353) (1) 205 3779 Consular
(353) (1) 205 3893 Press & Public Affairs

Email: management.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: consular.dubli@fco.gov.uk

Email: chancery.dublx@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT: (Local Time = GMT)
Mon-Thurs: 0900-1245 / 1400-1715
Fri: 0900-1245 / 1400-1700

Website: http://britishembassyinireland.fco.gov.uk/en/

Ireland