Ireland and the euro
03 February 2008by eub2 -- last modified 03 February 2008
Ireland joined the European Union in 1973 and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.
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Ireland at a glance
Surface area: 70 300 km2
Population: 4 209 019 (Eurostat 2006, provisional figure)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1973
Currency: Euro since 1 January 1999 (formerly Irish pound/punt, IEP)
Euro information
Status: Euro-area member since 1 January 1999.
Fixed conversion rate: €1 = 0.787564 IEP
Adoption of the euro: The euro banknotes and coins
were introduced in Ireland on 1 January 2002, after a transitional
period of three years when the euro was the official currency but only
existed as 'book money'. The dual circulation period – when both the
Irish pound and the euro had legal tender status – ended on 9 February
2002.
Exchange of former national currency: The Central Bank of Ireland continues to exchange Irish pound banknotes and coins for an unlimited period.
Euro-related queries: webmaster@finance.gov.ie
Documents and publications
- Documents and publications from the euro changeover are available on the Euro Changeover Board of Ireland website.
Opinion polls and surveys
- Public opinion and the single currency (Eurobarometer website)
Websites
Euro websites
- Euro Changeover Board of Ireland website (still operational, but no longer updated)
-
Archived websites on the euro
Institutions
Business
- Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)
- Euro Info Centres Ireland
- Irish Chambers of Commerce
- Enterprise Ireland
Consumers
Source: European Commission