Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
He told the forum of business and political leaders that the change in Ireland's economy over the past few years has been "phenomenal".
"Across the island . . . we have seen the triumph of peace and democracy building on the foundation of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. And in a few short years we have seen Ireland change from a largely homogeneous society to a truly international, multicultural place, with over 10 per cent of the workforce now being from outside Ireland," said Mr Ahern.
The Taoiseach was speaking to the forum on his 3,500th day in office. Mr Ahern, who came to power in 1997, has vowed to leave politics in 2012 when he turns 60.
He is the fourth longest-serving EU leader but could leapfrog Jacques Chirac and Tony Blair if he wins a third consecutive term this year.
The Taoiseach said Ireland had achieved near-full employment and grown its population by 600,000 during the past decade.
"In politics the point about achievement is not what you have done, but what it is now possible to do," he said.
"It is a measure of what the Irish people have achieved over the last 3,500 days that by continuing on the right course, we can now look forward to lasting peace and prosperity on this island.
"Looking back over the past decade - by managing the economy prudently, by acting in a spirit of social partnership and by committing politically to the peace process - we have travelled a long way," Mr Ahern said.