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		<title>English</title>
		<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84791</link>
		<description></description>
		<language>en</language>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 18:25:21 UTC</pubDate>
		
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[2013]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89185</link>
					<description><![CDATA[

January


February


March


April


May


]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 17:45:26 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[May]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89589</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
News about Ireland


The Taoiseach spoke at the Annual US Embassy Economic Conference in
Dublin and reflected on the potential for an EU-US Free Trade
Agreement, a priority for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of
the European Union. You can read the Taoiseach’s remarks
   here.


Our EU Presidency team put together this great video on how Ireland is in the
   business of recovery; check it out!


April 10 marked fifteen years since the signing of the landmark
Good Friday Peace Agreement. The T&#225;naiste wrote this opinion piece for the Irish Independent
   on how far Northern Ireland has come. Public Radio International
   looked at how Protestant communities in Belfast are now learning the Irish language.


The Atlanta Journal &amp;amp; Constitution featured Dubliner Lisa Kelly, formerly of
   Celtic Woman, who has now set up home and established a singing
   academy in Peachtree City.


Tom Cruise was in Ireland in April and Tourism Ireland unveiled
research on his remarkable Irish ancestry. Cruise was
   presented with a Certificate of Irish Heritage by the
   T&#225;naiste. Meanwhile, Hibernia College Dublin will be delivering
   a free online course about exploring Irish identity, starting on
   May 27. The course is 8 weeks long and open to anyone; you can
   sign up here.


Riverdance masterclasses in July and a
   Gallagher clan get-together in September are
   just two of the events organised for the busy last few months of
   ‘The Gathering’.


And the famous Fungi the dolphin is celebrating 30 years in
   the waters off the beautiful coast of Dingle!


Connect Ireland


Connect Ireland is an Irish Government initiative that rewards any
individual who introduces a company to Ireland. It has had
tremendous success in the US south-east since its launch a little
over a year ago, with more than 200 ‘connectors’ now active in the
region. You can find out more about the scheme and register
yourself as a ‘connector’ by clicking here.


Upcoming Events


The World Affairs Council of Atlanta will host a lunch to mark
Europe Day on Thursday May 9, with guest speaker Hans Joachim-Otto
– Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of
Economics and Technology - speaking on “The Ties that Bind:
Transatlantic Trade &amp;amp; Investment”. You can register to attend
here.


Atlanta’s Clan Na nGael GAA Club will host its Annual Golf Classic
on Saturday May 11 from 1pm. This is an important fundraiser
to help grow Gaelic Games in Georgia; you can get more information
and register here.


Hurling and Gaelic football teams from across the region will also
descend on Atlanta for the illustrious Peach Cup on Saturday June 1. Events begin
   at 11am at the Georgia Soccer Park (3895 Ben Hill Road, East
   Point, GA 30349) and spectators and supporters are welcome at
   this family-friendly affair. If you haven’t yet experienced
   Gaelic games up close and personal, this is your opportunity!


Marilynn Richtarik will speak at Emory about “Queen’s in the Golden
Age” and the generation of poets and writers – from Seamus Heaney
to Stewart Parker – studying at Northern Ireland’s leading
university in the 1960s. The talk will be on Thursday May 2 at 4pm
in the Kemp Malone Library (Callaway N301) and is sponsored by the
Emory Irish Studies Programme.


If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future
newsletters, please let us know at atlantacg@dfa.ie.








Consulate General of Ireland


Monarch Plaza, Suite 260,


3414 Peachtree Road NE,


Atlanta, GA 30326








www.consulateofirelandatlanta.com








Follow us on Twitter @IrelandAtlanta by clicking here






April 2013
]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 17:41:13 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in Atlanta]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84792</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
F&#225;ilte romhat!


Welcome to the website of the new Consulate General of Ireland in
Atlanta.


The opening of our first new Consulate in the US since the 1930s
makes this a particularly exciting period for relations between
Ireland and the states of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas.
For 300 years and more, people from Ireland and of Irish and
Scots-Irish descent have played a major role in the history and
growth of this part of the United States. Through the Consulate, we
hope to acknowledge and pay tribute to that tremendous work, just
as we seek to building exciting and innovative relationships in
business, science and culture for a new generation.


Our hope is that the Consulate will encourage people in this region
to consider Ireland more. To consider Ireland as a superb place to
invest in a business-friendly and English-speaking gateway to the
European Union. To consider Ireland as a wonderful destination to
visit to play golf, to trace ancestors or simply to enjoy the
beautiful countryside. To consider Ireland as a place to obtain a
world-class university education at a very competitive price. And
to spread the message to all your friends and family!


We very much hope you find this website to be useful and
informative on these opportunities and much more besides. If you
have any comments or queries, please contact us here to
let us know.


Best wishes for the months and years ahead. We look forward to
working with you.


Go n-&#233;ir&#237; an b&#243;thar leat.


Paul Gleeson
Ard-Chonsal na h&#201;ireann
Consul General of Ireland


Convention calls on the Diaspora


On the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution by the
people of Ireland, a Convention on the Constitution has been
established to submit recommendations to the Houses of the
Oireachtas on changes to make the constitution more relevant to the
Ireland of the 21st Century.


Comprising 100 members – 66 citizens, 33 all-island
parliamentarians and an independent Chairman – the Convention will
consider eight topics during 2013, ranging from making a provision
for same-sex marriage to giving citizens resident outside the State
the right to vote in presidential elections.


The Chairman of the Convention on the Constitution, Tom Arnold
(former CEO of Concern Worldwide) invites Irish citizens resident
abroad to express their views on future Constitutional change:


“It is really important that we hear from Irish people where ever
they are located. They will bring a valuable perspective to our
deliberations and the Convention looks forward to hearing from
them”.


Irish citizens living and working abroad are being encouraged to
participate in what is an historic initiative in deliberative
democracy. The Government has undertaken to respond, by way of
Oireachtas debate, to each Convention recommendation within four
months and if it agrees with a particular recommendation for
change, to give a timeframe for a referendum.


The Convention’s plenary meetings are streamed live on the website
and include views expressed via social media platforms. Details,
including how to make a submission are available at: www.constitution.ie





________________________________________


St Patricks
Day greetings from the President Michael D. Higgins


________________________________________




]]></description>
					<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:09:13 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[The Economy]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84854</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The Economy


Ireland is currently facing severe economic challenges and is
addressing these in cooperation with our EU partners and the
International Monetary Fund. Ireland had a period of extraordinary
growth from 1993 to 2007 and had become one of the world’s most
dynamic, innovative and globalised economies, with extensive
external trade and investment links.


In 2008, partly due to the open nature of its economy Ireland began
to feel the effects of the global economic downturn. Pressure on
the economy was significantly accentuated by the end of a prolonged
Irish property market boom and problems within the domestic banking
system. This led to a period of recession in Ireland and a sharp
contraction in economic output.


But Ireland is facing the serious economic downturn from a strong
starting position. Many of the strengths that drove our recent
economic boom and brought unprecedented levels of prosperity, with
growth and GDP per capita among the highest in the European Union,
remain in place. these strengths will position Ireland to take
advantage of the global economic recovery as it emerges.


Ireland’s economic success is generally attributed to its 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 to attract foreign investment; and membership of the European
Union, which now provides a market of almost 500 million people.
Ireland is a member of the eurozone.


Ireland continues to be one of the most open economies in the OECD,
and exports are now showing strong growth after a slowdown in
recent years. Ireland has developed a strong entrepreneurial
culture in terms of new businesses being established.


Ireland has a strong track record in attracting investment in
Information Communications Technology (ICT), Life Sciences,
Financial Services and Globally Traded Business (GTB) including
Digital Media, Engineering, Consumer Brands and International
Services. Ireland’s positioning as a ‘smart economy’ continues
apace combining our innovative, enterprise economy with an
ever–increasing emphasis on the emerging areas of Clean/Green
Technologies, Services Innovation and Convergence. Ireland is also
a centre for digital media in Europe with major multinational
companies locating their European headquarters and a range of
business support activities here.



Top of Page


Inward and Outward 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. 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.



Top of Page


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.


Top of Page


Innovation and R&amp;amp;D


R&amp;amp;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.



Top of Page


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.


Economic and
Social Research Institute
Central Bank of Ireland



Top of Page


Trade


Ireland’s total trade in 2009 was approximately €270bn; with a
merchandise trade surplus of more than €39 billion. This consists
equally of Merchandise Trade and Services Trade each of which stand
at approx. €130bn. The main merchandise goods traded include
Organic chemicals (mainly for the pharmaceutical sector), Medical
&amp;amp; pharmaceutical products and Computers. The main services
areas are Computer Services, Trade Related Business Services,
Insurance and Financial services.


Ireland’s main trade partners are the United states, Great Britain,
Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.


Top of Page


Industry and Services


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.


The service sector in Ireland accounts for approximately half of
GDP. Just under half of total Irish exports are services, and
Ireland is in the top ten countries worldwide for exports of
commercial services. Throughout the last decade output of services
has grown strongly, largely as a result of growth in financial
services, telecommunications and tourism.


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).











Department of
Enterprise, Trade and Innovation




Forf&#225;s




IDA
Ireland




Enterprise Ireland




Shannon
Development




&#218;dar&#225;s na
Gaeltachta




Intertrade Ireland




Science Foundation
Ireland




Foras &#193;iseanna
Saothair (National Training Authority)






Top of Page


Financial Services


Dublin’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), which was
set up by the Irish Government with EU approval in 1987, is
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 specialised insurance operations.
More than430 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.





Department of
Finance




International
Financial Services Centre




National Treasury
Management Agency






Top of Page


Agriculture


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). Beef and
dairying are by far the most important sectors of the agricultural
industry. The main crops are barley, wheat, potatoes and mushrooms.


The Agri-Food industry makes a significant contribution to the
Irish economy. The combined agri-food and drink sector accounts for
6% of GDP, almost €8bn of exports and accounts for 133,400 jobs. In
particular, the industry plays a major role in the indigenous
sector.











Department
of Agriculture and Food




Bord Bia




Teagasc
(Agriculture &amp;amp; Food Development Authority)




Food Safety Authority
of Ireland






Top of Page


Fishing


The Irish seafood industry provides employment for over 11,000
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 3,172 kilometres of
our coastline.








Department of
Communications, Energy &amp;amp; Natural Resources




Bord Iascaigh
Mhara






Top of Page


Tourism


Approximately 6 million tourists visit Ireland each year, spending
approximately €3.9bn, and sustaining more than 180,000 jobs.
Tourism Ireland was established under the framework of the Good
Friday Agreement 1998 to co-ordinate the work of the two tourist
boards on the island, F&#225;ilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland
Tourist Board.


Ireland’s successful tourism industry is built around the three
themes: Irish people; Irish culture and the physical beauty of the
country.



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. TV3
is a commercial broadcaster and there are many commercial radio
stations including Today FM and Newstalk. 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 Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) was established in 2009
under the Broadcasting Act 2009, as an independent regulator for
radio and television broadcasters in Ireland. The BAI has a range
of objectives and functions and incorporates the work of the
Broadcasting commission of Ireland. the Authority is funded through
a levy on all broadcasters licensed in the state.








Radio Teilf&#237;s
&#201;ireann




TG4




TV3




Today FM




Newstalk




Broadcasting Authority
of Ireland (BAI)






Top of Page


Newspapers


Newspapers have been published in Ireland for over 300 years. Today
there are a number of daily broadsheet and tabloid papers, two
evening newspapers, and five Sunday newspapers. 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.








The Irish
Times




Irish
Independent




Irish
Examiner




Sunday Business
Post




Sunday
Independent




Evening Echo




Press Council
of Ireland (and Press Ombudsman)






Top of Page

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:56:14 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in Brief]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84848</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The attached booklet, entitled Ireland in Brief, provides a general
   overview of Ireland's political, economic and cultural
   life. While it is not possible to include every aspect of
   life in Ireland in this short publication, we hope that you will
   discover a little about Ireland and its people.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:54:24 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Ireland in Brief]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84890</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
The attached booklet, entitled Ireland in Brief, provides a general
   overview of Ireland's political, economic and cultural
   life. While it is not possible to include every aspect of
   life in Ireland in this short publication, we hope that you will
   discover a little about Ireland and its people.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:54:24 UTC</pubDate>
		
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				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Travel Advice]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84884</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Travel Insurance


The Department of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends that
comprehensive travel insurance including medical insurance, is
obtained before travelling to the United States of America (USA),as
the cost of medical care in the USA can be very high.
Travellers should note that the Irish government does not provide
funds for emergency medical repatriation or for repatriation of
remains.


Possible delays at US international airports


Please note that the Customs and Border Protection Agency has
warned of possible increased wait times at major U.S. international
airports, especially during the summer peak season, due to the
effects of sequestration budget cuts. It warnsof waits
ofup to 50 percent or more, with peak waits of up to four
hours atthe busiest airports. Increased processing
times at airports — including both CBP operations and
Transportation Security Administration screening – may make it more
difficult for travelers to make tight connecting flights. Further
information is here.


Hantavirus - Yosemite National Park


The Yosemite National Park has a non-emergency phone line
(+1-209-372-0822) for all questions and concerns related to
Hantavirus in Yosemite National Park. The park is also updating its
website daily to reflect current information on confirmed cases and
any additional important information. The information can be found
at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hantafaq.htm.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a hotline
number (+1-404-639-1510) and information about HPS on their
   Hantavirus
   website.


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 and is intended for use by people travelling on holidays,
and also for business travellers and Irish citizens living
overseas. Irish citizens can register here.


ENTRY REQUIREMENTS


Entering the US under the Visa Waiver Programme



As from July 1st 2009, nationals or citizens of VWP (Visa Waiver
Programme) countrieshave not beenpermitted to enter the
United States under the VWP using emergency and temporary passports
issued after 26 October 2006, unless those passports have an
integrated computer chip holding the same information printed on
the passport bio-page (“e-passport”).


Irish Emergency Passports do not have an integrated computer chip
and therefore can only be used for entry to the United States if
the traveller has been issued with a Visa.


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 registration has 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.
Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries are required to pay a
fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization
(ESTA). The fee is currently$14.


Registration may be done by third parties e.g. travel
agencies.


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


Visa free travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).


Since 26 October 2004, all Irish passport holders visiting the
United States require an individual 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.


Under the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme, passport holders from 27
countries, including Ireland, may enter the U.S. without a visa for
tourism or business purposes for a maximum period of 90 days.


A machine readable passport is a passport in which the holder's
details have been printed on the datapage which also contains the
holder's photograph. A passport where the holder's details have
been handwritten is not a machine readable passport.


Children, including infants, who are endorsed on a parent's
passport must have an individual machine readable passport or else
obtain a visa in the parent's passport.


Passport Validity


In most cases, to enter the US, you must have a passport that is
valid for at least six months after the date you enter. However,
Ireland has an agreement with the US that allows you to enter on a
current passport up to the actual date of expiration. An Irish
passport need remain valid only for the duration of the holder's
stay in the United States.


However, if you are traveling visa-free on the Visa Waiver Program
(VWP) and your passport is valid for less than 90 days, you will be
admitted only until the date on which the passport expires. If the
passport is not valid for the duration of your stay, you will be
required to apply for a new passport from your nearest Irish
Embassy or Consulate while in the U.S.


Further details on entry requirements are available on the U.S.
Embassy website.


Those travelling on J1 visas may wish to check the Travel Advice
for J1 Students.


SAFETY &amp;amp; SECURITY


The US Government remains concerned about continued threats. Since
the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, the US government has
issued a number of warnings of potential further terrorist attacks
in the US. The US domestic threat level stands at &quot;elevated&quot;
(yellow). The US Government is maintaining heightened security,
especially at airports. You should continue to expect stringent
security checks at airports, transport stations and other public
buildings.


CLIMATE


The hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and can
affect the whole of the southern USA. Please check the National
Hurricane Centre website for more details.


Irish citizens who intend to travel to these areas should
monitorinformation on the USNational Hurricane
CentrewebsiteNational Hurricane
Center. Irish citizens are advised to monitor local
weather reports on www.weather.gov and can also access
local information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
website at http://www.fema.gov/
and at http://blog.fema.gov/



FEMA's website also contains information about how to prepare for
extreme weather conditions and what to do if you are told to
evacuate. It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that
will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.


Irish citizens, visiting and residing in the United States, are
advised to follow the advice of the US Centre for Disease Control
available at http://www.cdc.gov/



DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR MISSIONS IN THE USA


The Irish Embassy in Washington DC and the Irish Consulates in
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New Yorkand San Francisco offer
consular assistance to Irish citizens. Contact details for all
Irish Missions in USA are available here.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:52:23 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[2013]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89302</link>
					<description><![CDATA[

Irish Chamber Breakfast



Official Consulate St Patricks Reception March 2013
St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013 

Press Release: Ireland appoints first Honorary
Consul in Orlando

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:00:37 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89550</link>
					<description><![CDATA[



























































]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:57:00 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[News & Past Events]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=85812</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Latest Events



Irish Chamber Breakfast






Official Consulate St Patricks Reception March 2013





Supporting Irish Murphy Prototypes Team at Road Atlanta, October
2012






Galway Event at Volvo Ocean Race 2012 in Miami


Flag Raising Ceremony at Atlanta’s New International Terminal




]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:27:40 UTC</pubDate>
		
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				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Official Consulate St Patricks Reception 2013]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89532</link>
					<description><![CDATA[












































]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:39:06 UTC</pubDate>
		
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					<title><![CDATA[Consular Fees]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84845</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
Fees are charged for certain consular services such as issuing
passports and visas, foreign birth registrations, authentication of
documents and administering oaths. These fees are fixed by the
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade by way of Statutory
Instrument issued under Section 3 of the Diplomatic and Consular
Officers (Provision of Services) Act, 1993.


Please note that the fees charged for some diplomatic and
consular services will increase on 1 March 2013. The full
list of fees is available 
here (PDF 177kb) .


Please note also that there may be additional administration
charges when availing of these services abroad. Please check
with the Embassy which payment methods are acceptable before
sending any payments.


---------------------------





Gearrtar t&#225;ill&#237; as seirbh&#237;s&#237; consalachta &#225;irithe cos&#250;il le
heisi&#250;int pasanna agus v&#237;osa&#237;, cl&#225;r&#250; breitheanna eachtracha,
f&#237;ordheimhni&#250; c&#225;ip&#233;is&#237; agus daoine a chur faoi mhionn. Socra&#237;onn an
tAire Gn&#243;tha&#237; Eachtracha na t&#225;ill&#237; seo tr&#237; mhe&#225;n Ionstraim
Reacht&#250;il eisithe faoi Alt 33 den Acht um Oifigigh Taidhleoireachta
agus Chonsalachta (Sol&#225;thar Seirbh&#237;s&#237;), 1993.


Tabhair faoi deara, le do thoil, go bhfuil t&#225;ill&#237; &#225;irithe
taidhleoireachta agus conslachta ag &#225;rd&#250; &#243; 1&#250; M&#225;rta 2013. T&#225; liosta
ioml&#225;n de na t&#225;ill&#237; ar f&#225;il 
anseo (PDF 175kb) .


Tabhair faoi deara freisin go bhf&#233;adfadh t&#225;ill&#237; riarach&#225;in bhreise
bheith i gceist m&#225; bhaineann t&#250; leas as na seirbh&#237;s&#237; seo thar
lear. D&#233;an tagairt leis an Ambas&#225;id chun na modhanna
&#237;oca&#237;ochta &#225;t&#225; inghlachta a shocr&#250; roimh aon &#237;oca&#237;ocht a dh&#233;anamh.




]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:19:32 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Irish Chamber Breakfast]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89531</link>
					<description><![CDATA[
























































]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:29:20 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[April]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89522</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
Ireland &amp;amp; the US South-East





Ireland’s T&#225;naiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD, visited Atlanta and New
Orleans for St. Patrick’s Day. The T&#225;naiste’s programme
included meetings with current and potential new investors in
Ireland. He also presented former Coca-Cola President Don
Keough with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award, in an event
Global Atlanta covered with this piece.





The T&#225;naiste appeared live on CNN and wrote this piece for the Atlanta Business
   Chronicle on Ireland’s economic recovery and growing connections
   with the US south-east.





Simon Carswell of the Irish Times looked at why more and more
   Irish companies are choosing Atlanta as a place to do business.





In New Orleans, the T&#225;naiste met with the winners of Irish Network
scholarships to study in Ireland this coming summer. He also
cut the ribbon at the Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans – you
can watch footage here.





News about Ireland





PBS took an in-depth look at developments in Ireland with
   this piece, while the Wall Street Journal featured a Texas couple
   who have retired to county Sligo.





Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins,
   spoke with RT&#201;’s Drivetime about changes in
   the US-Irish political and economic relationship. And to mark
   fifteen years since the Good Friday Peace Agreement, Colum
   McCann wrote this memorable piece for the New York Times.





Plans are well underway for the ‘Spirit of Connemara’ Festival in September,
featuring Irish food, music, dance and an International Hurling
Festival!





The Irish Convention on the Constitution is looking to hear the
views of Irish citizens resident abroad about constitutional change
in Ireland. You can make your voice heard here.





Upcoming Irish Events





Belfast poet and novelist Ciaran Carson will perform a public
reading at the University of Georgia in Athens at 7pm on Wednesday
April 10. The event will be in the Richard B. Russell Special
Collections Library; more details are here.





Trinity College Dublin are looking to identify alumni in the Metro
Atlanta Area ahead of an event on Friday April 19 – anyone
interested in meeting other Trinity graduates in Atlanta should
contact alumni@tcd.ie.





The third annual Celtic Festival and Tartan Day South will take
place at the historic Columbia Speedway in South Carolina from
April 4-7. For more on these superb Scots-Irish and Celtic
celebrations, take a look here.





Atlanta’s Clan Na nGael GAA Club will host their Annual Golf
Classic on Saturday May 11 from 1pm. This is an important
fundraiser to help grow Gaelic Games in Georgia; you can get more
information and register here.





The all-female Irish music ensemble Celtic Woman will play a series
of concerts in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida in April and
May; you can find more information and book tickets here.





And Irish Traditions Atlanta is proud to announce the
winners of its 2013 scholarships. The Bernard and Kathy Lane
scholarship goes to Ciara Fleming, Hollie Greenwood and David
Long. The Irish Traditions Ambassador Award goes to Caitlyn
Cleary. Congratulations to one and all!








If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future
newsletters, please let us know at atlantacg@dfa.ie.





Consulate General of Ireland


Monarch Plaza, Suite 260,


3414 Peachtree Road NE,


Atlanta, GA 30326





www.consulateofirelandatlanta.com





Follow us on Twitter @IrelandAtlanta by clicking here



April 2013
]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:18:22 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Passports for Children]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84827</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
The Passport Office recommends that parents obtain
individual passports for their children.In line with
best international practice, the Passport Office ceased the
practice of including children on their parents' passports since 1
October 2004. This is intended to increase the security of
international travel for children and reduce the risk of kidnapping
and child trafficking.

Passport Service cautions parents that while children who are
included on a parent's passport, may continue to travel to some
countries up to their 16th birthday along with that parent
providing the passport is still valid, there are an
increasing number of exceptions. This includes some European
countries, the US, the Czech Republic (which requires persons aged
15 and over to carry their own passport) and Estonia which requires
all persons aged 7 and over to carry their own passport.


Therefore the Passport Service urges parents with their children
named on their Irish passports to check with the Embassy of the
country to which they are travelling to ensure they will be allowed
to enter the country.


The current passport fee structure isavailable here .


For the issue of a passport to a child (first time or renewal) the
following must be submitted.
- Application Form, APS1if living in the State, APS2if
living outside the State.


Please obtain application forms from one of the following
outlets:
most Post Offices, all Garda Stations, many Citizens Advice Centres
and Libraries and also from the Passport Offices in Dublin and
Cork.


The application form includes a section for parental
consent.
- Long Form Birth Certificate (in all cases) This is most
important. The long form birth certificate must be submitted on all
occasions for which a passport is applied for a person under 18
years of age, ie first occasion as well as subsequent renewals. If
the birth certificate is not included the application will be
rejected.


- Children born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 only –
Following the entry into force of the Irish Nationality and
Citizenship Act 2004 additional documentation is required from
parents of children born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005.


In addition to the Birth certificate of the child the Passport
Office also requires the Birth Certificate or Passport of an Irish
citizen parent.


In the case of non Irish citizen parents the Passport Office
requires their passport and in some cases an additional
Declaration Form from the same parent. These requirements are fully
set out in the Section‘New Citizenship Changes
effective from 1 January 2005' on the passport section of
this website and also on the passport application form. These
requirements only apply to parents of children born on or after 1
January 2005.



Previous Passport (if applicable )


4Passport size photographs


Relevant Fee



Please note – Signature - If the child is able to sign his/her
signature on the application form they should do soin the
signature box on the left hand side of Section 8of the
application form. If the child is unable to sign,this
signature box should be left blank. In such cases, a
parent/guardian should sign on the white strip at Section 8 in the
presence of the Garda (or other person) who witnesses the
application.


The Passport Service reserves the right to contact witnesses as
required. Passport applicants should therefore note that
where it is not possible make contact with those witnessing
applications then it is likely that the application will be
rejected.


The Passport Office recommends that parents obtain individual
passports for their children well in advance of any expected travel
abroad.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:24:37 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[March]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89395</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
News about Ireland


The Irish parliament approved the liquidation of IBRC (formerly
Anglo-Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide) and the Government reached a
deal with the European Central Bank to dramatically improve
Ireland’s debt sustainability and produce an estimated €20 billion
($26 billion) cash-flow saving over the decade to come. The markets
responded very positively to the news, with Ireland’s 2020 bonds
dipping below 4%. You can read the Taoiseach’s speech about the
agreement here.


President Obama has declared March Irish-American Heritage Month
across the United States; you can read the Proclamation here.


The Taoiseach apologised to those who suffered in Ireland’s
Magdalene Laundries “on behalf of the State, the Government and our
citizens”. He was watched from the D&#225;il gallery by survivors of the
Laundries and their family members as he delivered a moving
statement that you can read here.


Investor Wilbur Ross delivered his view on Ireland’s recovery at an
Ireland-US council lunch in Palm Beach, Florida; you can read a
report of his remarks here.


To help promote ‘The Gathering’, the Certificates of Irish
Heritage team are running a competition with a first prize of two
return flights to Ireland and a week’s accommodation; you can find
details here.


A good month too for Atlanta-based Irishmen on our television
screens! CNN ran a feature on Karl Drake, the renowned
   Atlanta-based Irish dancing teacher who is now making waves in
   Mexico and China. And Atlanta’s own Peter Casey is starring in
   the new series of the popular Irish television show Dragon’s
   Den; you can keep up to date here.


And baseball
is on its way to county Meath in Ireland!


Upcoming Irish Events


We are set for a huge month of Irish events across the US
south-eastto celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Parades will take
place in Atlanta, Savannah, Charlotte, Charleston, Raleigh,
Huntsville, Birmingham, New
Orleans, Little Rock and many other cities and towns
across the region on Saturday, March 16. We look forward to our
Irish communities turning out in force!


The Irish Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day
breakfast at the Capital City Club downtown (7 John Portman Blvd)
at 7.30am on Friday March 15. This year’s breakfast will be
particularly special for the presentation of the Presidential
Distinguished Service Award to Don Keough, former President of
Coca-Cola. It promises to be one of the biggest Irish business
events in recent years; you can reserve your seat by clicking
here.


Events in New Orleanswill include a formal ribbon-cutting at
the city’s new Irish
Cultural Museum at 933 Conti Street on Sunday March 17 at
2.30pm. For more information, email info@icmnola.com.


On Saturday March 9, Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Day Ball will once
again be hosted by the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta at
Druid’s Hill Golf Club (740 Clifton Road) from 6.30pm. This is
Atlanta’s only Black Tie St. Patrick’s Day Ball and you can reserve
your ticket by calling HBSA President Larry Healy at 770-962-7301.


Concerts in Atlanta this month include the Young Wolfe Tones at Ri
Ra on March 13 and Kathleen Donohoe and Leah Calvert at the same
venue on March 16 and 17. Kathleen, Leah and Deb Peterson also play
Murphy’s on March 17 from 5.30pm, with reservations
recommended. Altan play the Variety Playhouse on Tuesday March 19
and Kevin Burke plays a house concert on Wednesday March 20; more
on both of these great events at Irish Traditions Atlanta.


Other Atlanta events over this busy season include the Fr. O’Reilly memorial wreath-laying at
   Atlanta City Hall at 1pm on Thursday March 14 and the Atlanta
   St. Patrick’s Day mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King at
   10.30am on Monday March 18.


In Franklin, Tennessee, the play Gonne/Yeats will premiere at the
Williamson County Public Library at 2pm on
   Sunday March 17, while lead actor Pete
   Kennedy will also perform a musical set in Nashville that
   evening.


Kerrygold, Publix and the author of ‘The Shamrock and the Peach’,
Judith McLoughlin, are teaming up for an Aprons culinary tour
across the US south-east this month; you can find out when you’ll
be able to savour some wonderful tastes of Ireland here.


The St. Patrick’s Centre in Tampa -in partnership with the
Salvation Army, the Mayor's Office, Gasparilla Event Fest, and
Irish 31-is leading a food collection this March to
serve Tampa's hungry in the spirit of St. Patrick; you can find out
how to volunteer for, or contribute to, this worthy effort
   here.


And on Friday March 15 from 2.30pm-6.30pm, Donal and Ciara Fleming
will host the 12th annual St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Fad&#243; in
Atlanta to raise funding for fighting childhood cancer. All are
welcome to support a really superb cause!


Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and your families!


If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future
newsletters, please let us know at atlantacg@dfa.ie.


Consulate General of Ireland
Monarch Plaza, Suite 260,
3414 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta, GA 30326.


www.consulateofirelandatlanta.com


Follow us on Twitter @IrelandAtlanta by clicking here


March 2013

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:22:44 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Honorary Consulates]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=84794</link>
					<description><![CDATA[    
Florida


The Honorary Consul of Ireland in Orlando, Mr. Terence J.
Delahunty, Jr. P.A., can be contacted at the following address:


118 E. Jefferson Street, Suite 203
Orlando, FL 32801


Telephone: +1 407 810 3352
Email: terry@delahuntylegal.com





Louisiana


The Honorary Consul of Ireland in Lousiana , Judge James F. McKay
III, can be contacted at the following address:


1317 Jay St.
New Orleans, LA 70122


Telephone: +1 504 412 6050
Fax: +1 504 412 6053
Email:JFM@la4th.org

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:37:22 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[February]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89187</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
News about Ireland


The Taoiseach and Irish Government Ministers met in Dublin with the
President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the
   European Commission, Jos&#233; Manuel Barroso, as Ireland began its
   six-month European Union Presidency.


The New York Times looked at progress towards an
   EU-US Free Trade Agreement that might be made under Ireland’s EU
   Presidency. In Atlanta, the Irish and British Consul Generals
   wrote a piece for the Atlanta Business Chronicle on the need to
   “Unlock the power of free trade for more growth
   and jobs”.


Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Collins, wrote a
piece for The Hill on how stability, jobs and growth
   top the agenda for Ireland and Europe over the coming months.


Stan McCarthy, CEO of the Kerry Group, spoke to CNN about Ireland
as a place to do business. You can see that interview here.


A major golf event to mark ‘The Gathering’ has been organised for
Luttrellstown Castle and the Royal Dublin Golf Club in July. The
awards dinner to follow will be held in Dublin Castle and will be
attended by the Taoiseach. You can find out how to sign up to play
at www.senatorscupireland.com. And you can read
   an interesting American perspective on ‘The Gathering’ here.


A Limerick-Georgia Tech collaboration around
   gun safety was presented and discussed in the White House. The
   technology, known as Triggersmart, “works by radio frequency and
   would make it impossible for anybody, other than the authorised
   gun user, to pull the trigger of a gun”.


And a hoard of gold coins dating back almost 400
   years has been found in Tipperary!


Ireland in the US south-east


The Irish Government announced Terry Delahunty as its new Honorary
Consul in Orlando, Florida. The Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer, spoke
warmly about Terry at a reception to welcome the appointment hosted
by Consul General Paul Gleeson and supported by Tourism Ireland and Connect Ireland. The Orlando Business
   Journal reported on the event here, while Global Atlanta covered the
   announcement here.


The Irish Network of New Orleans has announced a new scholarship
programme to send high school students from New Orleans to study at
University College Dublin during the summer. The deadline for
applications is February 18, 2013. You can find more details on
this superb new initiative here.


The Atlanta Journal &amp;amp; Constitution featured Ireland Reaching Out, an organisation that
   is helping people in the region trace their Irish ancestry.


As Gaelic games continue to thrive in the region, Atlanta Clan na
nGael and Charlotte’s James Connolly GAA Club produced a tough but
magnanimous 3-13 to 2-16 draw in Charlotte on January 19. After the
game, a shirt was presented in honour of the late
   Michaela McAreavy.


Upcoming Irish Events


The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Ball, organised by the Hibernian
Benevolent Society of Atlanta, will take place this year on
Saturday March 9 at Druid Hills Golf Club on Clifton Road from
6.30pm. To reserve your ticket for this highlight in the calendar,
take a look here.


The wonderful Savannah Irish Festival takes place this year between
Friday February 15 and Sunday February 17. This will be the
Festival’s twenty-first year of showcasing the finest Celtic and
Irish-American music, dance and culture. You can find details of
performers and reserve tickets here.


The Cirque de L&#233;gume Irish circus and comedy show is bringing its
much praised routine to the University of North Carolina in
Charlotte. You can find more information and purchase tickets
here.


The Irish trad music band FullSet will play a series of concerts in
North Carolina (Raleigh and Asheville) and Florida (Orlando) in
February and March. You can find full details here.


Galway musician Se&#225;n Tyrell will play the Museum of Art in Fort
Lauderdale on Sunday February 10. Keep an eye here for further details.


Acclaimed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will perform at the beautiful
Spivey Hall at Clayton State University outside Atlanta on Saturday
February 9. You can find more information and tickets here.


Cathie Ryan will play a series of gigs in Atlanta, Savannah, North
Carolina and Florida this month; you can find details here.


The Irish American Business Network’s Valentine’s Party will take
place in Meehan’s Public House in Sandy Springs from
   7pm on Tuesday February 12; all are welcome!


If there are Irish events you’d like us to highlight in future
newsletters, please let us know at atlantacg@dfa.ie.


Consulate General of Ireland
Monarch Plaza, Suite 260,
3414 Peachtree Road NE,
Atlanta, GA 30326.


www.consulateofirelandatlanta.com


Follow us on Twitter @IrelandAtlanta by clicking here


February 2013

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:32:11 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[News Update]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=88352</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   





Com&#243;radh Newsletter - The first issue of Com&#243;radh,
anewsletter for the Irish Abroad on the Decade of
Commemorations (i.e. anniversaries of the Ulster Covenant, Dublin
Lockout, First World War, 1916 Rising etc.),was launched by
the T&#225;naiste in New York in September 2012.


Com&#243;radh covers some of the initiatives and events which have taken
place over the past six months as part of the Government’s
commemorative programme and is issued by the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. 
A copy of the first issue can be found here (PDF 2051kb).

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:10:53 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
				<item>
					<title><![CDATA[Press Release: Ireland appoints first Honorary Consul in Orlando]]></title>
					<link>http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=89303</link>
					<description><![CDATA[   
A reception will take place at the University Club of Orlando on
Wednesday January 30 to announce Terence (Terry) J. Delahunty Jr.
as Ireland’s first ever Honorary Consul for Orlando, Florida. The
reception will be hosted by Paul Gleeson, Ireland’s Consul General
for the US south-east, and is sponsored by Tourism Ireland and
Connect Ireland. The
Mayor of Orlando, Buddy Dyer, will be in attendance to welcome the
new appointee.


Terry Delahunty is a dual Irish and US citizen who has been
prominent in civic life in Orlando for many years. He has chaired
the city’s Transportation Advisory Committee, co-chaired the
Mayor’s Commission on Homelessness and has served on the boards of
the Orange County Workforce Housing Commission and the City of
Orlando Creative Village Committee, amongst many others. He
accompanied former Mayor of Orange County, Rich Crotty, on the
latter’s trade mission to Ireland in 2006.


Commenting on the appointment, Consul General Paul Gleeson said:
“We know Terry will do a terrific job representing Ireland in
Orlando and throughout central Florida. This is a very important
region for us – with a huge community of Irish heritage - and
Terry’s appointment allows us to take the relationship between
Ireland and Orlando to a new level. With direct flights between
Orlando and Dublin, there is a great opportunity for us to build
business, tourism, education and cultural linkages between our two
parts of the world over the years to come.”


Welcoming the appointment, Mayor Dyer said: &quot;Terry's
professionalism andexistingpersonal relationships
combined with his passion to further develop economic prosperity,
tourism, transportation and the cultural exchange between our two
regions will result in unprecedented synergy between Orlando and
Ireland. We are fortunate to have Terry leading the way as Honorary
Consul of Ireland in Orlando.&quot;


The new Honorary Consul, Terry Delahunty, said: “I am very proud to
have been chosen to serve as Honorary Consul of Ireland. As the son
of an immigrant, as a citizen of the United States from Central
Florida, I feel a great sense of duty and privilege to be able to
aid people from the two countries.I plan to work hard to
leverage my experience as an attorney and businessman to promote
beneficial contacts between our two countries and to utilize my
involvement in community, governmental and social organizations to
assist in building communications and meaningful business
opportunities between Ireland and Florida.”


Tourism Ireland’s support for the event comes at a time when
Ireland is inviting all who are Irish born, Irish bred or Irish in
spirit to visit Ireland in 2013 for ‘The Gathering’, a year-long
celebration. With beautiful scenery, superb golf courses and famous
high-quality Irish food and drink, it is easy to see why more than
1 million visitors from North America travelled to Ireland in 2012.
More information can be obtained at www.thegatheringireland.com.


Connect Ireland encourages job creation in Ireland by financially
rewarding individuals who make introductions to companies who
subsequently locate jobs in Ireland. Ireland has a very strong
track record in securing foreign direct investment due to the high
skill levels of Irish graduates, the access Ireland offers to
European Union markets and Ireland’s low business taxes. More
information can be obtained at www.connectireland.com.


For more information about this story, please call 404-333-2589.

]]></description>
					<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:22:09 UTC</pubDate>
		
				</item>			
			
		
	</channel>
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