The economy is expected to grow by around 4.8 per cent this year, more than double the growth forecast for the euro area as a whole, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.
Mr Ahern, attending the opening of a new Intel facility west of Dublin, said he expected the country's GDP to grow by some 4.8 per cent this year - slightly above the 4.7 per cent growth recorded in early estimates for 2005.
In March, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said he expected Ireland's GDP to grow by around 4.7 per cent this year.
Latest GDP growth estimates for the euro zone this year are around 2.1 per cent.
Mr Ahern said Intel's commitment to opening a new facility showed Ireland was still a good place for business.
"The Irish economy continues to perform well, with the strongest rate of growth in the euro area last year and expected GDP growth of around 4.8 per cent this year," he said.
Some economists have warned that Ireland risks losing its competitive edge as prices, particularly wages, rise above those of its peers.