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Ireland - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-IRISH RELATIONS U.S. relations with Ireland have long been based on common ancestral ties and shared values. These relations have broadened and matured, given the significant U.S. role in Irelands economic success and cooperation on global challenges. Besides regular dialogue on political and economic issues, the U.S. and Irish Governments have official exchanges in areas such as medical research and education. With Irelands membership in the European Union, the discussion of EU trade and economic policies, as well as other aspects of EU policy, is also a key element in the U.S.-Irish relationship. In recent years, Ireland has attempted to act as a diplomatic bridge between the United States and European Union. During its 2004 EU presidency, Ireland worked to strengthen U.S.-EU ties that had been strained by the Iraq war, and the current EU Ambassador to the United States is former Irish Prime Minister John Bruton. Emigration, long a vital element in the U.S.-Irish relationship, declined significantly with Irelands economic boom in the 1990s. For the first time in its modern history, Ireland is experiencing high levels of inward migration, a phenomenon with political, economic, and social consequences. However, Irish citizens do continue the common practice of taking temporary residence overseas for work or study, mainly in the U.S., U.K., and elsewhere in Europe, before returning to establish careers in Ireland. The U.S. J-1 visa program, for example, remains a popular means for Irish youths to work temporarily in the United States. Principal U.S. Officials Ambassador--Thomas C. Foley Deputy Chief of Mission--Jonathan Benton Management Section Chief--Douglas Brown Senior Commercial Officer--Mitch Auerbach Consular Section Chief--Daniel Toma Defense Attaché--Col. Paul Flynn Political/Economic Section Chief--Joe Young Regional Security Officer--Terry Cobble U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director--Juan Soltero Public Affairs Officer--Sheila Paskman The U.S. Embassy in Ireland is located at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (tel. 668-7122; fax 668-9946).