US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN40

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