Section6.Ireland


 * 1. History/Background of E.U. Country **

|| HISTORY In the 9th century, the Vikings invaded Ireland. However, the Vikings never really gained full control over Ireland. Later, Henry II of England declared himself Lord of Ireland. Next, Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church in 1532. After that, Ireland became a battleground for the native Irish Catholics and the English forces. The Battle of the Boyne was in 1690. Almost 200 years later, the Famine was from 1846 to 1848. Over one million people died from the Famine. Also, many people migrated away from Ireland during this time. A campaign for Home Rule gathered strength. It took decades of bloody fighting before the Government of Ireland Act of 1920 divided the country. The south became the Irish Free State in 1937 and the north part of the UK. BACKGROUND Ireland's current population is 4.2 million. The Irish-Gaelic language (also known as Irish) is the first language. Around 87% of the Irish are Roman Catholic. 3% belong to the Anglican Church of Ireland. 10% have other religions or no religion. The people are easy going, lighthearted, good humored, polite, cheerful, and have the ability to laugh at themselves. Traditional Irish values are having a good education, a secure job, owning a home, and possessing a good job and sense of humor. Traditional earth tones and warm colors are popular to the fashionistas of Ireland. Wool items and sweaters are common for a cooler climates. Irish people are polite, and do not push, eat on the street, comb their hair in public, or otherwise offend others around them. The Irish are also warm and hospitable. Tipping is odd, but it is becoming more common nowadays. Family closeness in very important. Due to this family closeness, if school or work takes the family member to a different town or city, the member makes a great effort to return home as soon as possible. (Especially for Christmas!) Some popular sports are: hunting, fishing, Gaelic football, soccer, rugby, sailing, cycling, golf, shooting, and horse racing. Trout and salmon are the most common types of fish. Their main holidays are: New Year's Day (Jan 1), St. Patrick's Day (March 17), Easter (Friday to Monday), Labour Day (May 1), Christmas (December 25) and St. Stephan's Day (December 26). ||
 * [[image:castle.jpg width="273" height="316" caption="Click on the picture to see Blarney Castle!" link="@http://www.360cities.net/image/blarney-castle"]]


 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:EU_Flag.gif width="169" height="130" caption="The E.U. flag"]] || Ireland joined the EU in 1973. When Ireland joined it was not called the E.U. it was know as the European Economic Community. The E.U. brings members together to work on common problems. They offer a trade bloc, and they have a single market. The E.U. spends a large amount of money on eastern contries. Once joined, Ireland was expected to give up some power, and they had to change their currency from the Punt to the Euro. ||

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 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? ( //environmental issue)// **
 * [[image:Ireland-river.jpg width="179" height="165"]] || The European community (EC) and the members have been active on action against climate change. They are going to use renewable energy, the emissions trading scheme, (EU ETS), shared effort from Member states to reduce emissions from sectors out the EU ETS, and geological storage of carbon dioxide. They're also trying to reduce greenhouse gas emission from thier entire fuel production and to promote clean and energy-efficent road transport vehicles. The EU has public awareness campaigns on climate change: Climate change campaign (2006-2009), Sustainable Energy Europe Campiagn (2005-2011), Slimate Action Campaign (2007-2009), Covenant of Mayors on Energy and Climate (2008 onwards), New Lifelong Learning Programine (2007-2012), Eurobarometer Surveys on Euorpe's Attitudese Toward Climate Change (2008-2009), and finally, Eco Agents Website for Children (2008 onwards). Ireland hopes for the development of a large range of online resources and tools to raise public awarness and educate people on climate change.

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 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || Our country of Ireland does support providing help and aid in war in Afghanistan because it has been supporting the United States in the war. They have been in this war since 2002. But this is not the normal "peace keeping" the Irish are used to. Ireland does not like to send troops because it causes pain to families, but they send them anyway since they are detrermined to end (and hopefully win) the war.

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 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * || Our country of Ireland does not support helping the economies of weaker E.U. countries because before 2008, when the golbal financial crisis hit, its economy was rapidly growing. Now Ireland battles against rapidly rising unenployment and focus on economic recovery in general. Only 5% of today's population is employed. Therefore Ireland is going to just focus on strengthening their country's economy not other countries.