Ireland Market Access

Import regulations and customs duties

Regulations
In accordance with its European Union membership, Ireland applies the European Union (EU) rules that are in force in all European Union countries. While the Eu has a rather liberal foreign trade policy, there is certain number of restrictions, especially on farm products, following the implementation of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy): the application of compensations on import and export of farm products, aimed at favouring the development of agriculture within the EU, implies a certain number of control and regulation systems for the goods entering the EU territory.

Moreover, for sanitary reasons, regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (after being allowed in the European territory), their presence should be systematically specified on packaging. The beef cattle bred on hormones is also forbidden to import.

The BSE crisis (often called the "mad cow disease") urged the European Authorities to strengthen the phytosanitary measures to make sure of the quality of meats entering and circulating in the EU territory. The principle of precaution is now widespread: in case of a doubt, the import is prohibited until proof is given of the non-harmfullness of products.

Distribution

The years 1999 to 2001 marked a phase of exceptional growth for Ireland, allowing it to catch up to the economic level of the European Union countries. In 2004, retail trade grew to 66.5 billion euros, a growth of 2.75% as compared to 2003. Consumers have become more demanding, and as a result the distribution market has changed to the benefit of foreign brands.

The Business to Consumer (B to C) market

Sales (in terms of volume) in the retail trade increased by 4.2% in August 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, and in terms of value there was an increase of 5.7%.

Foreign products are increasingly becoming highly prized especially in the food sector, and the consumers' demand for good quality is also going up. The most striking phenomenon is the trend toward consolidation and the entry of foreign groups into the country especially British companies like Marks & Spencer and TESCO. 70% of the distribution of food products is monopolized by groups like Musgrave, Dunnes Store, Superquinn and TESCO. In addition, franchises such as Super Valu, Spar have recently appeared.
Non-food consumer goods, which constitute half of retail sales, are mainly distributed by national stores like Roches Stores, Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

Shopping centers and malls are on the increase, with one opening up in 2005 in Dublin in the centre of Dundrum, consisting mainly of foreign brands like Zara, H&M and Mango.

The Business to Business (B to B) market

In 2004, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was 183.6 billion dollars, a growth of 4.9% as compared to 2003. Sectors like information technology, telecommunications, medical products, bio-technology, food-processing and construction material are all doing well and offer numerous job opportunities. The fiscal and regulatory framework is extremely attractive: in fact, with its domestic market shrinking, Ireland needs to attract foreign investments in order to ensure its prosperity. It is for this reason that the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) was created. This agency had a budget of 123 billion euros in 2004, of which 65 billion euros were distributed to companies in the form of a grant. In 2004, the total amount of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) was 9.1 billion dollars, a decline of 66% over 2003.

The franchise system is widely popular amongst foreign companies which are already set up in Ireland: 39% of franchises are of American origin, 30% are British, and 15% are of Irish origin. The franchise exhibition salon irlandais de la franchise was held in Dublin on 4th and 5th of November 2005.

Transportation of goods

By road
The growth rate of the Celtic Tiger " (+ 6% in 1999) is the highest in Europe and attracted a lot of investors over these last few years. The sectors of data processing, telecommunications, medical products, biotechnology, farm-produce industry and the building materials are very appreciated and open up new markets. The fiscal and statutory context is extremely attractive: indeed, with its small market, Ireland has to welcome foreign investments to ensure prosperity. In 1999, more than 95.000 new jobs were created in key commercial sectors, notably information technology (material, software, call centres), the building trade and the financial services (banking activity, assurance). Ireland is from now on ranked 1st by the World Economic Forum as regards to the most favourable conditions for the foreign investors.

By rail
The road network covers 5.700 km, among which 150 km are freeways and 70 km are highways. There are 2750 km of main roads and 2700 km of regional roads. The National Road Authority (NRA) forecasts a national plan for the development of the road infrastructures of the country to connect the main cities of the country via freeways. The authority in charge of transportation is the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Energy.

By sea
There are 2,000 km of railroads, among which 520 km are double way and 40 km are electrified. Southern Ireland does not possess self important railway infrastructures compared with those of the Ulster but has nevertheless a wider network. The service is ensured by the state owned company Irish Rail Iarnrod Eireann. In Ulster, the service is ensured by the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) which connect Dublin to Belfast 6 times a day.

By air
The main ports are Dublin, Castletownbere. Ireland's most important fishing port is Rosslare Europort in Wexford's county. There are connections with England and European continent especially via the ferry company Stena line. In 1998, 18.5 million tons of freight passed in transit via the port of Dublin, that is an increase of a 10% in relation to 1997. Several projects are in progress for the improvement of the conditions of reception of the port of Dublin thanks to European aids.

Patents and brands

Ireland signed the Agreement of Paris concerning the protection of industrial property and the agreement which establishes the World Intellectual property Organization (WIPO). The country also signed the Agreement of Rome and Bern. As for patents, it adhered to the Agreement of Munich for European patents, as well as the Patents Co-operation Treaty (PCT). Furthermore, it adhered to the agreement of Strasbourg.

The country intends to sign the Agreement of Madrid relative to trademarks international Register. For the moment, it signed the Agreements of Nice concerning the classification of goods and services.