Abstract

Central Statistic Office figures demonstrate the growing diversity of the nation's population. In April 2004, the population stood at just over four million, the highest figure recorded since 1871. Nearly one-third of immigrants in the year ending April 2004 were nationals of countries outside the European Union or the United States. Since May 2004, the numbers coming from the newly joined EU member states have been in the tens of thousands. While these new immigrants are fanning out across the country to work in the manufacturing, agricultural and services sectors, their presence is increasingly visible in large urban centres like Dublin.