EU will hereon call nation 'Eire Ireland'

BRUSSELS, June 29 (UPI) -- The European Union, which has already decided to use Irish as one of its official languages, will hereon refer to the country as "Eire Ireland."

The Irish Examiner reported that Eire Ireland name change will take effect in January. Last year, the EU decided that Irish would become its 21st official and working language beginning next year.

The Irish government approved the EU measure at its Cabinet meeting in Dublin. A government spokesman said welcome the move, saying the name Eire already appears on all Irish passports, stamps and coins.

The changes are expected to generate up to 30 jobs for Irish translators and interpreters at European institutions.