Conference tallis::celt

    
    George,
    
    Hasn't the rate been hovering around $1.60ish for a while now...like
    between $1.60-$1.70 for months?   It seems like that was the rate
    around the time of my trip to England in October (I was checking
    because I was curious to see if the punt was plummeting the way the
    pound was and it wasn't.)
    
    And I thought boosting interest rates made the currency stronger...less
    favorable...if they can keep the rates up, that is...
    
    /Jen (who hopes you are right about things becoming more favourable!)
    

    The exchange rate was higher than US$1.60 during the past summer.  I
    think it was up near US$1.80.  Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
    
    /g

    
    Could be....I know the pound was up to $1.98 just weeks before we
    booked...like in August/September...but I wasn't watching before then!
    
    Still....I don't know about this $650 air fare :(    I wonder if
    they'll be any deals!
    
    /jen
    

    
    
    The exchange rate was as high as $1.98 last August ...
    
    Give $100.00 American 
    
    Receive �52.nn Irish
    
    
    
    
    	keVin
    

    With the rate at $1.60, $100 American will get you
    62.5 Irish - that's 10 more pounds for Guinness,
    Claddagh door knockers, and chock-ices.  Maybe
    a Mary Black CD here or there.  No meatloaf.
    
    Now, how do you make the pound sign with the
    compose character keVin?

    >Now, how do you make the pound sign with the
    >compose character keVin?
    
    COMPOSE    L   -
    
    If you're on a Vaxstation it's 
    
    	COMPOSE  Space-bar (Together)      L       -
    
    
    Maybe I sould go into the telephone support business :-)

    
    Hey, but the CD's I bought in england were �12.99 each...but I just had
    to have 'em!
    
    By the way, I used my ATM card to get pounds over in england...very
    convenient.  Most of their banks had the CIRRUS emblem.  Is that common
    in Ireland?  If not, which networks are common there?
    
    /jen
    

    
    Most Banks now have ATM's in the City's and Large Towns. They cover all
    well known cards, ACCESS, VISA, MASTER CARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS and some
    others.
    
    Stephen.
    p.s.
         The � is under fierse pressure from Speculators and our interest
         rates rose 3% before xmas and another 3% increase is forcast next
         week if the Government don't devalue the �. So keep your $ for along
         as you can, because our � is definately overvalued. Nice time to
         invest some money in Ireland if you have any. The Lombard & Ulster
         were giving 50% on �10,000 or over that was invested and theres no
         tax if your an over seas investor.
    
    

    
    
    George: With the extra �10 I would chose the Guinness  !!!  :-)
    
    
    
    
    	keVin
    

    The fact is that Sterling dropped against a collection of European
    Currencies.....including our Punt. The Punt is not overvalued as was
    stated here but those firms trading with Britain have problems and
    would like to see a reduction in the value of the Irish Pound ( Punt)
    in relation to the British one. This would mean we would have to leave
    the EMS , a bundle of European Currencies with tight controls on their
    relative values. Any reduction in the value of the punt would mean
    higher inflation, something we can well do without. Our pay rise
    ammounts to about 2.5% this year and our inflation is somewhere around
    3%. If we get higher inflation we lose as I cannot imagine our company
    increasing pay to compensate for inflation like they did in the late
    '70's and early '80's. I do not see why Ireland as a country should pay
    for Britains mistake ( leaving the ERM.) by devaluing it currency to 
    accomodate it.
    

    re -1
    The fact of the matter is, 65% of our exports are to Britain and if we
    dont devalue, around 30,000 jobs will be lost. I dont think these
    people will be worrying to much if inflation is at 3% or 6%. We dont
    have to leave the EMS if we devalue. France and Denmark are also under
    presure to devalue but because of an up coming election in France
    there is little chance of them devaluing in the near future. The EMS
    was suppose to help each other country out when in difficulty, but it
    seems that is the theory, because at present Germany and France are
    looking after themselves.
    
    Stephen
    

    Government officials here sent a strong message seeking support from
    the German and French central banks for the Irish punt.
    THe allegation was made that they were looking after each others
    interests to the exclusion of smaller countries.
    The government is looking at a series of subsidies to affected
    businesses and mortgage holders rather than devaluation as a solution.
    Germany is holding on stubbornly to high interest rates as a defence
    against inflation; their history of hyperinflation in the '20's makes
    them fearful of inflation to the point of hysteria.
    

    OK lads, so now what's the value of the Irish punt in relation
    to the US dollar? 
    
    Are all the British exporters happy now?

    
    
    Re: -.1
    
    Yes...do tell...should we convert yet?
    
    /jen
    

    
    
    A lot of ye should have converted a LONG time ago ...   :-)
    
    
    
    

                                  Buy      Sell
    Irish pound to U.S dollars:  $1.47      $1.53
    
                ..........from todays "Irish Independent".
    

    
    Thanks Mr. Dooley!   I'm in shock...someone ACTUALLY answered the
    question that was ASKED!  :^)
    
    Ireland in the summer is looking more affordable for us tacky tourist
    types!  :)
    
    /jen
    

    
    For Americans, the $1.47 exchange is more in line.  There
    should be a big increase in American tourists this year.

    Look out Galway because George, Jen and I will be there in July.
    
    Hey, that rhymes.
    
    Julie

    RE: .19  by LJOHUB::HORGAN 
    
    >Look out Galway because George, Jen and I will be there in July.
    
    Me too, maybe.