Doing Business in Ireland

Background

Geography

The Republic of Ireland (ROI) covers an area of about 70,000 sq kms, with 26 counties occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain in the extreme north-west of the European continent, and on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe. The land is mostly level or rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains, with high sea cliffs on the west coast.  

Government overview

The Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) was enacted in 1937. It is the fundamental legal document that sets out how Ireland should be governed through a series of 50 Articles. Every part of the Constitution is set out in both the Irish and English language.

The Constitution establishes the branches or organs of government, it establishes the courts and it also sets out how those institutions should be run. The Constitution also describes the fundamental rights of every Irish citizen.

Article 28 of the Constitution sets out the composition of Government. The Constitution states that the Government must not be smaller than 7 members or larger than 15 members.

The Taoiseach is the head of the Irish Government. He or she is nominated by the Dáil (one of the houses of Parliament) and formally appointed by the Irish President. Normally, each of the political parties or a coalition of parties will have its own nominee for Taoiseach. The nominee who has the support of the majority of the members of the Dáil will become Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach then nominates the other members of the Government and gives each of them a Department. They are approved by the Dáil and appointed by the President.

Following an inconclusive general election on 26 February 2016, Ireland currently has an acting Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, T.D. Leader of the Fine Gael party.  At the time of going to print, consultations on the formation of a new government are ongoing.  

[Source: Government of Ireland (Feb 2016)]

Economic overview

Ireland is the UK’s fifth largest export market and imports more from the UK than any other country. The UK accounts for 30% of imports into Ireland. In 2014, exports of goods plus services from the UK to Ireland totalled £27.86 billion (United Kingdom Balance of Payments – The Pink Book: 2015).

Ireland is the UK’s largest export market in food and drink, and second largest market in clothing, fashion and footwear. Trade in other sectors continues to grow. Two-way trade stands at over €1 billion per week.

Ireland is an ideal first-step market for UK companies.

[Source: UK Trade & Investment/gov.uk (Feb 2016)]

Benefits of Ireland for UK businesses

Benefits for UK businesses exporting to Ireland include:

  • English speaking

  • Same time zone

  • Strong transport links

  • Similar regulatory and legal framework

  • Ideal starter or test export market

  • Sophisticated consumer market

  • Open economy, used to imports

  • Good perception of the quality of British goods and services

[Source: UK Trade & Investment/gov.uk (Feb 2016)]

Strengths of the market

Strengths of the Irish market include:

  • Strong bilateral trade between the two countries

  • Strong economic environment

  • Flexibility and range of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) representing 99.8% of active enterprises in Ireland

  • Three million British tourists visit Ireland every year

  • Highly-educated workforce

    In addition, Ireland hosts:

  • 9 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies

  • 10 of the top 10 global software companies

  • 10 of the top 10 born on the internet companies

  • 12 of the top 15 medical device companies

  • 6 of the world’s top 10 selling pharmaceutical products are exclusively produced in Ireland

Growth potential

Although economic challenges remain, Ireland’s GDP is forecast to continue growing in the next two years. The Central Bank of Ireland has forecast GDP growth of 4.8% in 2016: www.centralbank.ie/press-area/press-releases/Pages/StronggrowthprovidesanopportunitytostrengtheneconomicresilienceQuarterlyBulletin.aspx

[Source: UK Trade & Investment/gov.uk (Feb 2016)]

Trade between the UK and Ireland

There are strong trade ties between both countries. The UK exported £18.37 billion in goods to Ireland in 2014.

The main exports by value are:

  • Fuel and lubricants

  • Manufactured articles

  • Machinery

  • Transport

  • Food and live animals

  • Chemicals

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