Ireland remains an attractive place for of multinational investment, according to a National Irish Bank/OCO Investment Performance Index released this morning.
Irish is ranked 13th out of 30 countries in terms of its success in attracting investment, with India scoring highest and Poland second.
In absolute terms, investment in Ireland during the first three quarters of 2007 was not as strong as in previous years, but Ireland has continued to win medium-sized projects. However, it has failed to secure any "blockbuster" projects this year.
Dr Ronnie O'Toole, chief economist, National Irish Bank, said: "The key to maintaining Ireland's economic growth is this pipeline of new investment projects into Ireland, which will form the basis for our export performance in the next couple of years.
"The fact that this new index shows we are holding our own in terms of attracting inward investment is encouraging. Ireland is winning these projects despite rises in costs in recent years and a highly disadvantageous rate of the dollar."
OCO Consulting chief executive Mark O'Connell said Ireland has relinquished its image as a low-tax-and-incentives location for manufacturing.