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Ireland is an island country located in Western Europe. With a population of 5 million and continued growth inevitable, Ireland is quickly becoming a promising prospect for U.S. companies looking to invest internationally. Upon closer examination of the economic state of Ireland, it is more and more clear that foreign investment in the Irish economy is a good move.

After the Financial Meltdown of 2008, Ireland suffered a massive economic hit; however, after receiving financial aid from the European Union and focusing on an economic restructure and deficit-reducing strategies, Ireland was able to break free from the aid package in 2013. Continued economic growth attracted foreign investors to house their corporations in Ireland, which resulted in an astronomic 25% increase in GDP during 2015. Since this significant economic growth, Ireland has been able to reduce the national deficit to -0.6% of GDP, which is allowing the government to focus on investing in more ventures which will enhance quality of life and economic progress in the long-run.

In addition to the continued economic growth Ireland is currently experiencing, they are also one of the friendliest countries to foreign investments. Corporate tax rates are significantly lower than the rates in the US or in many other areas of the European Union, and there are many other incentives and tax breaks available to foreign investors and startups. Simultaneously, Ireland is experiencing a massive movement towards technological development, with many tech companies choosing to plant roots in Dublin, the nation’s capital. The demand for tech jobs is too fast for the Irish educational system to keep up with, so many Americans and other European millennials are moving to Ireland to work. This influx in population will continue to boost the economic growth of Ireland while increasing demand for foreign products that may not have existed before.

With economic growth such as this, the demand for food service will increase accordingly. Now is the time to invest in Ireland. Corporate tax rates are unbeatable, the country is experiencing economic growth at the fastest rate in its history, and the workforce median age is at an all-time low due to the trends toward tech companies and further technological development. Chipotle should strike while the iron is hot and open a minimum of two restaurants in the Dublin area, strategically placed near some of Dublin’s largest tech companies with high rates of employment.

Ireland’s population is growing at a rate of 1.15% as of 2017. This makes Ireland the 99th fastest-growing country in the world.

Ireland has recently been undergoing a period of growth. In 2016, the state recorded a rate of 13.5 births for every 1,000 people. This equates to 63,900 live births in 2016 alone, giving Ireland the biggest “natural rise” in population the European Union.

Ireland’s birthrate was estimated to be 14.1 births per every 1,000 people in 2017. The birthrate is ranked as the 137th highest birthrate worldwide. Contrastingly, the death rate was 6.6 deaths per every 1,000 people in 2017, ranking Ireland 142nd on the international scale.

The median age of Ireland’s population is 36.8 years, with men ranking at 36.4 years and women at 37.1 years in 2017.

These figures are based on 2017 estimates:

· 0-14 Years: 21.46% (male 549,864 / female 525,608)

· 15-24 Years: 11.84% (male, 301,114 / female 1,077,383)

· 25-54 Years: 43.2% (male 1,087,587 / female 1,077,383)

· 55-64 Years: 10.42% (male 261,650 / female 260,737)

· 65 Years and over: 13.07% (male 303,078 / female 352,026)

Refer to the population pyramid in the appendices for further information.

These ratios are estimates based off 2017 data:

· At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

· 0-14 Years: 1.05 male(s)/female

· 15-24 Years: 1.03 male(s)/female

· 25-54 Years: 1.01 male(s)/female

· 55-64 Years: 1 male(s)/female

· 65 Years & Over: 0.86 male(s)/female

· Total Population: 1 male(s)/female

The population of Ireland is weighted heavily to the eastern side of the island, with roughly 40% of the population living within 100 kilometers of Dublin, the nation’s capital. Populations in the west are smaller due to mountainous terrain, lack of transportation access, and fewer job opportunities. Dublin itself is home to 1.2 million Irish, accounting for 20% of the nation’s overall population. As of 2018, 63.2% of the Irish people live in and around urban centers, most notably Dublin and Galway. The rate of urbanization is increasing on a yearly basis at 1.14%, with more people moving into urbanized areas as the urban centers continue to develop and create more work opportunities.

Although Ireland has a history of heavy migration, most notably during the Great Potato Famine in the late 19th century, the country now boasts a net migration rate of 4 migrants/1,000 people as of 2017. This is still a relatively high rate of migration, though compared to the patterns of old, it has decreased significantly. Ireland is ranked 27th in the world for migration rates.

Ireland is not known for being diverse in terms of ethnicity, and there are not currently many immigrants moving to Ireland, so the demographics have remained relatively constant in recent decades. The Irish ethnic groups are represented as follows:

· Irish – 82.2%

· Irish Travellers – 0.7%

· Other White – 9.5%

· Asian – 2.1%

· Black – 1.4%

· Other – 1.5%

· Unspecified – 2.6%

This data was compiled from a 2016 census.

Ireland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased at a steady rate over the past three years:

· 2017 - $344.8 billion

· 2016 - $331.2 billion

· 2015 - $315.1 billion

Compared to the rest of the world in terms of GDP, Ireland ranked number 52 in terms of purchasing power parity. This data is expressed in terms of dollars and utilizes information gathered from 2017 survey results and research.

Ireland has been growing at an astonishing rate over the past several decades, giving them one of the highest growth rates not just in the European Union but in the world. The growth rate over the past three years is as follows:

· 2017 – 4.1%

· 2016 – 5.1%

· 2015 – 25.5%

The significant change in growth in 2015 was the result of a flurry of foreign investments in the Irish economy. Several American companies, including Allergan (pharmaceuticals) and Tyco (security systems), invested heavily in the Irish economy, using a process known as “inversion” to incorporate themselves into the fiber of Ireland’s economy.

Similar to Ireland’s rate of growth and national GDP, the personal income per capita has risen consistently in recent years:

· 2017 - $72,600

· 2016 - $70,500

· 2015 - $67,700

This data is expressed in terms of dollars and utilizes information gathered from 2017 survey results and research.

In data taken from a 2015-16 survey, the average gross weekly household income for Ireland was approximately €1,100 per week, or €4,400 per month. This average household income has increased by roughly 7% in the past 5 years.

The economic divide in Ireland is stark, like many Westernized countries with capitalist economic structures. According to survey data, 2.9% of Ireland’s population are in the bottom 10% income bracket, while 27.2% exist in the top 10%. The top 20% of the Irish population hold 72.7% of net wealth, while the bottom half has around 5% of wealth. The elite have the most money, influence and power, while the bottom 10% of the population are scraping pennies to pay their bills. This gap has risen substantially in recent years due to the economic boom caused by investments from foreign countries in Ireland’s corporate structure.

Class structure is similar in Ireland to many other modernized nations, where the more affluent citizens live within city limits and those who are less fortunate reside in rural areas where the cost of living is cheaper. As of 2018, the distribution is as follows:

· Urban Population (higher means): 63.2% of total population with a 1.14% annual growth rate

· Rural Population (lower means): 36.8% of total population

Considering the fact that the top 10% of Irish citizens possess more than half of the net wealth in Ireland (53.8%), and that the top 5% possess 37.7% of the wealth, it is easy to see that the wealth distribution is distorted. The distribution of income favors the elite, and the gap is widening as the economy continues to grow. Refer to Appendix B for a pie chart containing distribution of wealth in 2017 for a visual representation of the information charted here.

Ireland contains and monetizes the following natural resources:

· Natural Gas

· Petroleum

· Peat

· Copper

· Lead

· Zinc

· Silver

· Barite

· Gypsum

· Limestone

· Dolomite

The key industries based on these and other natural resources include: fishing, mining, and other types of agricultural farming. Mining in Ireland has existed as a pillar of their economical structure since the Bronze Age, became more industrialized during the Industrial Revolution, and has remained a staple of the Irish economy into the 21st century. Ireland has a governmental department dedicated solely to preserving their state’s natural resources, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

In Ireland’s major cities, bus transport is the primary form of public transit. Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Galway all have their own suburban rail networks. Most transport operators in government are either completely controlled or heavily influenced by the state. Currently, Dublin utilizes electrified suburban trains, diesel commuter rail, trams, and a bus network that provides public transport to Dublin and its surrounding areas. Buses are the most widely-used form of public transport in Dublin, but the commuter rails are also heavily used. The city of Cork also utilizes bus and suburban rail systems, but they also provide a commuter ferry for those who live convenient to waterways. Ireland also has six registered air carriers, and 40 airports throughout the country, with Dublin and Galway being the two largest. Ireland boasts 96,036 km of roadways, all of which are paved. Though many urban citizens utilize the public transport systems, namely the bus routes and railways, many rural citizens have cars and transport themselves using the roadways throughout the state.

Since public transport is funded almost exclusively through the government, transit is available to most citizens in a convenient and cost-effective way. In the cities, most citizens use the bus and rail systems, and in rural areas, the most common mode of transportation is by car. Ports are in major cities along the coast, namely Dublin on the West Coast and Galway on the East Coast. Airlines are accessible at both domestic and international levels, with most international flights coming in and out of Dublin.

Ireland’s road network has become busier over the past several years, with consistent expansion in total kilometers driven. There has also been an increase in the number of registered vehicles. In 2015, there were an additional 7.7 million passenger journeys via all modes of public transport. The maritime port system has also had to modify its structure to allow for increased demand. Irish airports are also dealing with growth and increased international travel. The growth concentrated around Ireland’s public transport network is indicative of both economic recovery and growth. Private car is still the dominant mode of travel outside of the city; however, public transit has reached an all-time high throughout the country, particularly concentrated in urban areas. See Appendix C for an in-depth picture of transportation usage rates in and throughout Ireland.

Irish ports provide the infrastructure which allows movement of both goods and people between Ireland and other countries by sea. The major seaports include Dublin and Shannon Foynes, with Dublin being the primary port of entry and trade for the state. Most of Ireland’s maritime ports are used to move freight between Ireland and other countries, though it is also a port for commercial ships as well.

There are four primary forms of communication used in Ireland, including:

· Telephones (Fixed Lines): There are currently 1.9 million fixed line subscribers, typically held by business owners and home owners.

· Telephones (Mobile): As of 2016, there were approximately 4.9 million Irish citizens with mobile phones. This equates to roughly 97% of the country’s population.

· Broadcast Media: There is currently a publicly owned broadcaster called Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) which operates two television stations. Commercial stations are available, and about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and television services. RTE also operates four national radio stations.

· Internet Access: The Irish internet country code is .ie. As of 2016, there were roughly 4 million internet users in the country, which equates to 82.2% of the state.

Mobile phone service and smart phone usage is the most common and fastest growing method of communication in Ireland, with internet coming in second.

Ireland’s telecommunications network is connected by an extensive national fiberoptic network. The telecommunications market is competitive, but it is regulated by a company called ComReg. There are several companies which compete by offering fiberoptic services to businesses and individual patrons. These are:

· Eir – This is the network with the most extensive network, which covers most of the country with 12,000 kilometers of fiber routes.

· BT Ireland

· ESB Group

· Virgin Media Ireland – Most residential and small business providers have access to Virgin Media Ireland’s network, which provides high-speed internet by using cable modem technology.

In 2016, 41.9% of Ireland’s mobile phone subscribers had access to 4G technology, but 3G remained the dominant technology. In 2017, this trend shifted, and 4G networks now dominate throughout the country.

As mentioned above, the fastest growing mode of communication in Ireland is the mobile phone. Most internet users in Ireland use their smartphones for most of their internet needs. A 2018 study indicates the growth in the use of smartphones over the past three years and projects the next five. It is expected that 4.06 million of Ireland’s mobile phone subscribers will be using smartphones by 2022. See Appendix D for the chart projections.

Employers in Ireland have a broad freedom of contract with limited requirements related to minimum wage, vacation, maximum working hours, and rest breaks. Where unions come into play most often is with regards to issues concerning dismissals and other similar concerns. The governing body between employers and employees is the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC), whose primary goal is to provide workplace services that make conflict resolution simple. The Irish Constitution also affects Irish employment law. All employees have a constitutional right that employment issues and matters are applied fairly and in accordance with “natural justice.” Unions are also legally open to any and all interested employees; however, there is no obligation for companies and corporations to recognize trade unions or to enter into agreements with such unions.

The percentage of Irish employees who are union members amounts to roughly 29%. There is only one primary union confederation, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, but individual unions also bear a certain amount of influence in the workplace. There are around 570,000 trade unionists in Ireland, but only about 450,000 of these members are actually employees. Even though the ICTU has amicable and influential relationships with the government, the association is a grouping of independent unions rather than being one body which governs many.

Currently, the national minimum wage for most Irish employees is €9.55 per hour; however, there are some exceptions. For example, if an employee is under the age of 18, they are entitled to 70% of the minimum wage, and if an employee is in his first year of employment since reaching the age of 18, he is entitled to 80% of the minimum wage. There is a Holiday Entitlement which is enforced by the Organization of Working Time Act 1997. This act specifies that all employees earn holiday entitlements from the time their work begins. Holiday pay is earned against time worked, and employees are entitled to the greater of one of the following:

· Four working weeks in a year so long as the employee works a minimum of 1,365 hours

· One-third of a working week for each month in the year in which the employee works at least 117 hours; meaning, 2 days for every 2.5 weeks worked, evening out to roughly 40 days of vacation per year

· 8% of the hours the employee works in a year (with a maximum of four working weeks)

Additional leave is optional, but this is the mandatory requirement for Irish employees. In addition to holiday entitlements, there are nine publicly observed holidays in Ireland, and most employees are entitled to one of the following: a paid day off on that day, a paid day of within a month of that day, an additional day of annual leave, or an additional day’s pay. The following holidays are observed nationally:

· New Year’s Day (1 January)

· St. Patrick’s Day (17 March)

· Easter Monday

· First Monday in May, June and August

· Last Monday in October

· Christmas Day (25 December)

· St. Stephen’s Day (26 December)

In addition to holiday and nationally-observed holidays, female employees are entitled to 42 weeks’ maternity leave, composed of 26 weeks’ “ordinary maternity leave” and an additional 16 weeks if needed. At least two of these weeks must be taken before the baby’s expected arrival date, and at least four must be taken after the birth of the baby. The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act of 2016 also provides two weeks’ leave for employees who are parents of new children, whether newborn or adopted. Ireland has very good standards for salaries and employee benefits, and as their economy continues to boom, their benefits continue to improve.

The economy of Ireland is composed of the following sectors: agriculture, representing 1% of the GDP; general industries, making up 38.2% of the GDP; and services, representing the remaining 60.7% of GDP. These estimates are based off 2017 survey data. The major industries represented in Ireland are as follows:

· Pharmaceuticals: This sector employs approximately 50,000 people and contributes €55 billion in exports annually.

· Financial Services: The financial services sector provides employment for 35,000 Irish citizens and contributes €2 billion in taxes annually to the Irish economy. Ireland is the 7th largest provider of financial services in all of Europe. These services are primarily located in Dublin.

· Computer Hardware & Software: The computer hardware/software sector employs approximately 24,000 people and contributes €16 billion to the economy. Ireland is the world’s second largest exporter of software, second only to the US.

· Engineering: This sector employs over 18,500 Irish and contributes approximately €4.2 billion annually. There are roughly 180 companies in all areas of engineering, from industrial products and services to automotive and aerospace engineering.

· Beverages & Brewing: The beverage industry employs nearly 100,000 Irish citizens and contributes upwards of €2 billion annually.

· Medical Devices: The MedTech sector is responsible for contributing 25,000 jobs and generates roughly €10 billion annually.

Based off of 2014 survey data, the Republic of Ireland employs 19.5% of citizens in the public sector, making the other 81.5% private sector employees.

Ireland is currently considered one of the most rapidly growing economies in Europe, and there are many western corporations who have a vested interest in investing in the state. There are many reasons for foreign investors to choose Ireland, and some of them include the following:

· Fully Developed Infrastructure: Ireland is a small country, so there is almost nowhere in Ireland that is greater than 110 kilometers from a major airport or maritime port. Ireland is home to three international airports and six regional airports. There are also three major seaports, most notably Dublin.

· A Skilled Workforce: With a graduation rate rapidly approaching 100%, Ireland is home to many young, intelligent workers. Recently, the economic shifts have promoted a heightened focus on technological and engineering fields, which have in turn birthed a young work force, boasting a median age of 30.

· Generous Tax Laws: The tax laws in Ireland ultimately result in a corporation tax of 12.5%, which is a significant difference from the tax rates approaching 40% in the US and other parts of the Western world. There are also other tax schedules which allow for a reduction of tax payments for foreign residents.

· Available Relief: There are many grants for financing preferential and beneficial projects. The government of Ireland is willing to invest when the country stands to reap major dividends. As a result, many multi-national companies are looking to set up shop in Ireland.

Although there are many industries breaking ground in Ireland right now, the following industries represent the highest level of growth in the past few years:

· Manufacturing & Industrial: 46.3%

· Information & Communication: 25.5%

· Insurance Services: 21.7%

· Other Financial Activities (Non-Insurance & Non-Mediation): 10.9%

This data was retrieved from 2016 survey results.

Dollar Value

In 2017, the dollar value of Irish exports to other countries totaled $225.1 billion, which was an 8.5% growth rate from the 2016 value of $206 billion. The 2017 total positioned Ireland as 24th in the world for dollar value of exports.

Trends

Ireland’s major export commodities include the following: machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and animal products. Ireland deals primarily with the following export partners:

· United States: 26%

· United Kingdom: 12.7%

· Belgium: 12.6%

· Germany: 6.7%

· Switzerland: 5.4%

· Netherlands: 5.1%

· France: 4.2%

This data was compiled from 2016 researched.

Surplus or Deficit?

At the end of 2017, Ireland’s budget consisted of a $1.95 billion deficit (or €1.67 billion).

Recent Trends

In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its bailout program (funded by the European Union), which it entered as a result of the 2008 financial meltdown. In 2014, the economy began to recover, and GDP grew rapidly by 25% in 2015 as a result of foreign investments and inversion into the Irish economy. This growth has allowed the government to reduce taxes and increase public spending while maintaining deficit-reduction goals. Since the astronomical growth in 2015, as well as standard growth rates in 2016 and 2017, Ireland has been able to reduce its deficit to -0.6% of GDP.

Current Rate of Exchange

As of June 18th, 2018, the current exchange rate of one US dollar is equivalent to €0.86. The following are prior exchange rates of Euro (€) per USD ($):

· 2017: €0.89

· 2016: €0.90

· 2015: €0.92

· 2014: €0.89

· 2013: €0.76

Trends

As is the case in many other countries, the exchange rate of the Euro fluctuates based off of many different factors, from political to financial. 2015 represented the highest exchange rate for the USD in the past five years.

Ireland currently enacts legislation for both United Nations and European Union sanctions and embargoes. These sanctions include:

· Trade Sanctions against Certain Countries

· Financial Sanctions

· Sanctions that are enforced against Specific Individuals

These embargoes and other relevant trade restrictions are regulated by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Trade with certain countries is forbidden or restricted and follow United Nations, European Union and the Organization for Security & Co-Operation in Europe.

Imports of the following goods in certain non-European Union countries are generally restricted quantitatively or by means of surveillance, including:

· Textiles

· Steel

· Footwear

· Ceramic Products

· Toys

· Porcelain & Glass

Trade is free within the 28 members of the European Union; however, there are common tariffs on imports coming from non-European Union countries, most notably the United States.

In 2016, the tariff rate was 1.82%. Its highest value was 5.86% in 1990. See Appendix E for a graph of tariff rates over the past 20 years.

Certain agricultural products require an import license in order to import to Ireland if they originate outside of the European Union. Live seafood importers must register with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. License are also typically required for imports of textiles, dual use goods and services, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, archaeological objects, and works of art. These are also regulated by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Ireland applies European Union tariffs (customs duties) based on the international Harmonized System (HS) of product classification. These rates on manufactured goods from the US typically range from 5-8% and are based on the value of goods at the port of entry. Raw materials typically enter duty free or at low rates.

Countertrade does not appear to be an integral contributor to Ireland’s trading and bartering systems. As members of the European Union, with free trade between member nations, Ireland does not need to utilize countertrading. Instances are rare and almost completely undocumented.

Ireland no longer receives foreign aid; in fact, the state allocated nearly €7 billion to give in foreign aid to developing countries in 2017. After the financial meltdown in 2008, Ireland temporarily received aid from the European Union; however, they stopped receiving this aid in 2013 after economic stability was regained.

In 2017, the Irish labor force was 2.26 million, positioning Ireland as the 122nd largest labor force in the world.

The unemployment rate in Ireland was 6.4% in 2017, down from 7.9% in 2016. The improvement in unemployment is likely due to the continued economic growth throughout the state.

The inflation rate in Ireland was up to 0.4% in 2017 from -0.2% in 2016. This inflation rate is small compared to other major Western nations, positioning Ireland as 18th in the world.

As stated earlier, computers, internet, and smartphones are widely available and distributed throughout the state of Ireland. High-tech exports are one of the most important exports in the country. Ireland is a highly-developed country with widespread access to various technological resources. The major organizations participating in scientific research and development include the Agricultural Institute and the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. The Royal Irish Academy focuses on science and the humanities and is the primary conduit for Ireland’s participation in international scientific unions. The Royal Dublin Society promotes agricultural develop, industry, science and art. There are other specialized societies which are concerned with other sectors of research and development. The Irish government funds most scientific research and development, regulating through the National Board for Science and Technology.

Research and development investment in Ireland was 1.51% in 2014, with increased projections for 5 years to come. See Appendix F for a graph which outlines investment in research & development in Ireland.

In the most recent edition of the Hays Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide, 79% of organizations predicted increased business activity in 2016, while 86% planned to recruit over the same year. Employees share the corporations’ confidence in the market. However, despite a vivacious job market, roughly 25% of Irish employers believe they do not have the technological skills required to meet their goals, and many businesses are looking abroad due to technological deficiencies in the labor force. This shortage has become more and more blatant as more tech companies break ground in Ireland. The Irish education system is working to adapt to the changing demands of business. Ireland needs to focus on skills shortages, particularly technological deficiencies and promote continued technical education for the labor force as it stands now.

This section reports data on all channel middlemen available within the market. Later, you will select a specific channel as part of your distribution strategy

As is the case with many smaller countries, the retail and wholesale markets are blurred, so the two will be discussed as one in the following sections.

There are 189 retailers operating in Ireland as of 2018. Some popular retailers include:

· Pfizer: Research-based pharmaceutical company

· Penneys: Discount clothing retailer

· Tesco: Tesco operates in the form of convenience stores, supermarkets and superstores

· Aldi: German-owned discount supermarket multi-national

· TK Maxx: Essentially the European version of TJ Maxx (in the US)

There are many other retailers present in Ireland – these are just a few.

The Irish retail industry is mostly made up of small, family-owned and indigenous companies. The retail sector is Ireland’s largest employer with 280,000 jobs. Retail accounts for anywhere between 12%-15.5% of employment in the country. Since the financial crisis in 2008, retail sales growth has struggled, and falling prices continue to threaten retailers. Presently, 85% of Irish retailers have 10 employees or fewer where 50% employed more than 250 people.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) determines the mark-up on products sold in retail outlets. The heads of this governing body called for an increase in regulation of goods sold, which would call to limit the amount of markup on products. This decision has created controversy between the CAI and economists who vouch for the free market. Free markets are based on being able to mark up products to the highest price that consumers are willing to pay. With more brick and mortar stores sourcing most of their products from online retailers and suppliers, so the markup can become excessive. These markups are still being debated, but the markup in Ireland is relatively high.

As is the case with most of the rest of the world, the payment landscape is changing in Ireland as consumers replace cash with credit, debit, apps and mobile payment options. Retailers are currently assessing how flexible their accepted payment methods are as consumer behavior changes. The move towards digital payments could mean good things for retailers, creating higher convenience for travelers, particularly international travelers.

The scale of retail and wholesalers are large-scale throughout the country. The Irish retail sector employs 285,000 people throughout the country, and there are 37,400 retail and wholesale businesses operating in Ireland. They contribute a significant amount to Irish GDP.

Chain stores, department stores, and specialty shops contribute to the cultural experience of Ireland while providing goods to both citizens and travelers alike. The largest supermarket chains in Ireland include the following:

· SuperValu

· Lidl

· Tesco

· Aldi

· Dunnes Stores

· Eurospar

· Iceland

· Marks & Spencer

· Donnybrook Fair

· Joyce’s

· Fresh

The primary department stores in Ireland include:

· Arnotts

· Austins

· Brown Thomas

· CLerys

· Darrers

· Debenhams Ireland

· F.W. Woolworth Ireland

· Guineys

· Heatons

· McElhinney’s

· Menarys

· Standun

Specialty shops vary from city to city, but one specialty book store, Eason, can be found throughout the country and offers competitive pricing.

There is a procedure known as the Customs Warehousing Procedure which allows traders to store non-European Union (EU) goods without payment of customs charges or Value-Added Tax (VAT). Applicants who wish to warehouse in Ireland must apply using the Customs Decision System (CDS).

The primary sales region in Ireland is centered around Dublin. This urban center is the primary center of economic growth in the country.

Ireland posses a competitive print media, divided into daily national newspapers and weekly regional newspapers, as well as Sunday editions. Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE) is the public service broadcaster, funded by the government and through advertising. RTE operates two television channels. There are other independent national television channels as well, all of which are available on Saorview, public access digital television. There are also two subscription TV services, UPC (United Pan-Europe Communications) and Sky. There are many regional and local radio stations available throughout the country, and surveys indicate that 85% of adults listen to the radio on a daily basis. As discussed earlier, the internet is widely-used and is currently accessible to over 80% of the population.

Public broadcasting is funded by the government with reliance on advertising to help subsidize the cost for production. In Ireland, a television license is required for any address at which there is a television set. This fee is €160. A typical SKY television bundle currently costs €14.75 per month for the first 6 months and then €29.50 for six months after that.

Radio is free and readily accessible to all Irish citizens. The government funds the radio primarily with dependency for partial funding resting on advertising.

Newspapers in Ireland are largely privately owned and operated, but advertisements are available at cost to help subsidize costs. Readership of print newspaper is similar to that of the United States, with 59% of adults reading the paper daily.

Since the Irish economy is self-sustaining, their media does not rely on agency assistance at the present.

Ireland is a geographically small and technologically advanced country. Radio and television broadcasts are available throughout the entire country. Print journalism is centered in Dublin, but it is distributed throughout the rest of the country. Every Irish citizen has access to these forms of media. Internet falls behind, with 20% of the country living without it, presently. This is likely due to some of the mountainous and rugged terrain on the western side of the country making internet connection difficult.

Estimates for the percentage of population reached by each medium in Ireland are as follows:

· Television: roughly 80% of the population, with 25% relying on streaming services solely

· Radio: 85% of the Irish population is estimated to listen to some licensed radio service on any given day

· Print: Roughly 60% of Irish people stated in a survey that they read some form of print news on a daily basis.

· Internet: 82.2% of Irish citizens currently have access to internet and use it on a daily basis.

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Population Pyramid

This population pyramid represents Ireland’s population distribution in 2017.

Distribution of Wealth in Ireland (2017)

This chart demonstrates a visual of the wealth distribution in Ireland in 2017.

Transportation Usage Rates in Ireland (2015)

Smartphone Usage Data 2015-18 with 5-Year Projections

This table indicates the drastic growth in smartphone usage in Ireland.

Tariff Rate 1988 – 2016

Investment in Research & Development Chart