Ahern: Ireland well-positioned to ride out economic woes

BOSTON—Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern says years of rapid growth have left his nation in good shape to ride out international economic turmoil that also has spread to Ireland.

Ahern touted his nation's recent rapid expansion in a luncheon speech Thursday to business leaders in Boston, a day after he appeared before Congress.

Ireland has recently been hit by rising inflation and slow growth. But Ahern expressed confidence his nation's economy is now sufficiently diversified to insulate the country from deep financial troubles.

Ireland's fortunes rely heavily on U.S. investment, and Ahern said U.S.-Irish economic relations "have never been better."

Ahern is stepping down May 6, following a judicial investigation into secret payments he allegedly received from businessmen in the 1990s.

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