WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: IRISH VIEWS ON

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000040

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTO
SUBJECT: WTO SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS: IRISH VIEWS ON
PRIORITIES FOR EU MARKET ACCESS

REF: STATE 270998


1. Following is Post's rating for the service sectors listed
reftel, based on priorities for U.S. service suppliers and
market openness. For service sector priorities, we gave the
most weight to growth potential. The market access ratings
reflect Ireland's status as one of the world's most
globalized economies. For example, the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment
Report 2003 noted that Ireland was one of the leading
beneficiaries of the global shift to services-focused FDI.
The medium rating we assigned to some professional services
(such as legal services) generally reflected educational and
certification standards that must be met, rather than
barriers to entry.

--Legal services 2/M
--Accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services 2/M-H
--Taxation services 2/M-H
--Architectural services 1/M
--Engineering and integrated engineering services 1/M-H
--Urban planning and landscape architectural services 1/M
--Computer and related services 1/H
--Research and development services 1/H
--Real estate services 2/H
--Rental/Leasing Services 4/H
--Advertising services 3/M-H
--Market research and public opinion, polling services 3/M-H
--Management consulting services 2/H
--Technical testing and analysis services (including energy
related testing services) 2/M
--Services incidental to agriculture, hunting and forestry,
and fishing 4/M
--Services incidental to mining 4/M
--Energy services (including land site preparation, drilling
and plugging) 4/M
--Services incidental to energy distribution 3/M
--Placement and supply services of personnel 3/M-H
--Investigation and security 4/L
--Related scientific and technical consulting services 2/H
--Maintenance and repair of equipment 5/M-L
--Building-cleaning services 5/M-L
--Photographic services 5/M-H
--Packaging services 4/M
--Printing, publishing 4/M-H
--Convention services 4/M
--Courier services (Express Delivery) 3/L (Market access is
rated low because of restrictions in the U.S.-Ireland air
transportation agreement that limit access by U.S. cargo
carriers.)
--Telecommunication services 2/M-H
--Audiovisual services 4/M
--Construction and related engineering 1/H
--Distribution Services, including: commission agents'
services, wholesale trade services, retailing services,
and franchising 3/M
--Educational Services, including: higher education
services, adult education (i.e., vocational),
other education services (i.e., testing and computer
or language training) 3/M
--Environmental services (wastewater treatment, sanitation,
protection of ambient air and climate, remediation and
clean up, noise and vibration abatement, and biodiversity
protection) 2/H
--Insurance services 2/M-H
--Banking and other financial services including securities
2/H (As a complement to the National Pensions Reserve Fund,
the Government in 2001 established Special Savings Incentive
Accounts (SSIAs),which operate like 401K accounts with
government-matching contributions. Private firms are
involved in the management of SSIAs, and there are
opportunities for U.S. firms to compete for participation in
management.)
--Tourism and travel-related services, including: hotels and
restaurants, catering, travel agencies and tour operators
services, and tourist guides services 3/H
--Recreation and sporting services (other than audiovisual
services),including: entertainment services (including
theater, live bands and circus services),news agency
services; libraries, archives, museums and other cultural
services; sporting and other recreational services. 3/M
KENNY