The Taoiseach renewed his appeal to the farming organisations to join the social partnership, adding that they had made a significant contribution to previous national agreements.
Mr Ahern said he very much regretted that they did not consider it possible to recommend the text, including a paper on agricultural matters, to their members.
"I understand they had expectations of specific commitments being made at this time in the light of the difficult years full-time farmers have experienced.
"The very difficult current position has not made possible agreement on these issues at this stage. However, I hope they will reconsider their position and see the merit of remaining within the framework of social partnership to advance their objectives."
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, who had asked the Taoiseach to report on the implementation of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, suggested that Mr Ahern meet the farming organisations to discuss the matter. "Farmers want to be part of progress, but have genuine concerns about career structures and farming incomes."
Mr Ahern said the farmers had major concerns about the EU dimension and what would happen in the mid-term review.
"I have said before, on the record of the House, and I will say it again, that we will do Irish agriculture an enormous disservice if we do not take seriously what is happening in agriculture in Europe and what is likely to happen in the world trade round.
"We have probably protected ourselves fairly well up to 2011, but it will all dramatically change thereafter and I continue to urge people not to wait until this issue becomes a crisis in the future."
Mr Ahern added that the farmers wanted specific financial commitments, and the reversal of some issues, which the Government could not do.
"However, if I can help, I will. I do not want the farmers to be lost to the overall process. That is not necessary."
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, pointed out that the community and voluntary organisations had said there was nothing in the agreement for them. He asked how it was planned to build 10,000 houses without it having any impact on Government finances.
Mr Ahern said he did not think the members of the community and voluntary pillar believed there was nothing in the agreement for them. "Most of the groups are very happy with the ongoing progress, although they want to see even more resources than what is in this year's Book of Estimates."
He added that the social partners, both employers and trade unions, believed that the aim should be to build 10,000 affordable houses. "The Government's position is that it does not believe we will get to the 10,000 figure."
