[Paisley]

Please take note certain things was changed by the Department of Enterprise recently.

I arrived in Ireland on an Intra Company Transfer in May 2001. This was only valid for 4 years, but due to an error on the Irish Government side I managed 5 years. After that I had to apply for a work permit (€500), valid for one year. In May 2007 I renewed my work permit (€1500) for a three year one. In Ireland your work permit ties you to the employer. You have to apply for new one if you leave your present employer.
In August 2006 I applied for naturalisation. Still waiting as they are only busy processing August 2005 applications. So be prepared to wait very long if you decide to go this route. All foreign nationals (non-eu) are required by law to have an ID card from immigration. This is obtainable at your local Immigration Officer. These officers operate from the local Garda Station (Police Station). Cost €100 and you have to renew it every year. They will then stamp in your passport that you have permission to live and work here and the date it expires. These stamps are very important if you want to apply for Citizenship or Long Term Residency.
They recently introduced a new Long Term Residence permit, but you can wait up to 6 months for this. I add to this as soon as things happen. This is process I am going through. People married to EU Citizens have a different process.

Department of Enterprise is responsible for work permits and green cards.
Department of Justice for the registration and ID cards.

The new "green card" scheme is only available for certain proffesions.