Thought we might as well also look at 'activity' criteria a bit closer to home 
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Ireland https://www.icu.ie/icu/eligibility_criteria
30 rated games over the previous two years, 18 of which must be played in Ireland, or
24 rated games if one of the two recent Irish Championships is included.
Games actually played at the representative international tournaments don't count towards the tally.
Wales http://www.welshchessunion.uk/wp-content...010.12.doc
Must actively associate with Welsh chess, as judged by determined by committee. "As well as being current members of the WCU, players are expected to have shown a willingness to involve themselves in Welsh Chess in the two years prior to the Selection Committee meeting".
There is no hard or fast rule they say, but if you fail to make this judgement, you're not in the team. But degrees of active association will not be used for making marginal decisions. They cite national championship participation as important.
Sympathy to Matthew's point takes a more concrete form: "To that extent temporary inactivity as a result, for example, of domestic or career crises will not rule a player out of consideration."
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Both place high value on appearance in national Championships.
Hope useful
Cheers
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Ireland https://www.icu.ie/icu/eligibility_criteria
30 rated games over the previous two years, 18 of which must be played in Ireland, or
24 rated games if one of the two recent Irish Championships is included.
Games actually played at the representative international tournaments don't count towards the tally.
Wales http://www.welshchessunion.uk/wp-content...010.12.doc
Must actively associate with Welsh chess, as judged by determined by committee. "As well as being current members of the WCU, players are expected to have shown a willingness to involve themselves in Welsh Chess in the two years prior to the Selection Committee meeting".
There is no hard or fast rule they say, but if you fail to make this judgement, you're not in the team. But degrees of active association will not be used for making marginal decisions. They cite national championship participation as important.
Sympathy to Matthew's point takes a more concrete form: "To that extent temporary inactivity as a result, for example, of domestic or career crises will not rule a player out of consideration."
-------------------------------
Both place high value on appearance in national Championships.
Hope useful
Cheers