Irish Life has reopened its popular Irish and UK Property Funds to investors. The Irish property fund provides exposure to the sustained growth of the domestic economy, while the UK fund provides an opportunity to diversify into the improving British economy.

Last year the funds took in £200 million and a higher amount is forecast for this intake. The return from Irish commercial property was exceptional in 1999 - as high as 29 per cent - and is forecast to be very positive for the short to medium term, says head of property investment at Irish Life Investment Managers, Mr Sean O'Brien.