The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, told a conference in Co Down this morning that the stable, peaceful situation in Northern Ireland has been a major factor in the Celtic Tiger phenomenon.
Mr Cowen detailed how more than €100bn in infrastructure investment is set to benefit the north and south over the next decade.
He delivered the keynote address at a two-day conference in Newcastle, Co Down.
The theme of the event is Infrastructure in Ireland, a key economic and social driver.
It will explore the possibilities that may arise from the planned infrastructural investment.
Mr Cowen spoke of the economic benefits of peace and said how money saved on security expenditure can be diverted to health, education and transport.
It is the minister's view that peace created confidence in the Republic and helped to attract the investment that contributed significantly to the Celtic Tiger phenomenon.
Mr Cowen also outlined how the Republic's National Development Plan includes money for projects that would strengthen North/South co-operation in a practical way.
