The Taoiseach came under pressure on commitments made by the Government on the health services from the Fine Gael and Labour leaders, writes Michael O'Regan.
Challenged by Mr Enda Kenny on the Government's promise to end waiting lists within two years, Mr Ahern said that there had been increased funding in that area. "There were over €10 billion this year, a 10 per cent increase.
"Based on the projected figures, hospital activity had risen to almost an estimate of one million in-patients, an increase of almost 200,000."
Earlier, in a reference to the weekend's Fianna Fáil Ardfheis, Mr Kenny welcomed the "Taoiseach and his inconsistent band of amnesiacs back from Disneyland which they visited last weekend and back to the reality which stalks the streets."
The problems of the North-Eastern Health Board had become symptomatic of what had gone wrong with the health sector, he added.
The various problems were compounded by false problems made by the Taoiseach and his Government.
"It is now perfectly obvious that you are prepared to say anything, do anything, promise anything, to stay in power at all costs."
He recalled that on May 7th, 2002, the Taoiseach had made a very specific promise to the people of the State that hospital waiting lists would be permanently ended within two years.
"That specific promise left no room for doubt."
In the 22 intervening months, the numbers on waiting lists had increased by 2,000 at least.
"It is the height of hypocrisy and brass neck of the ultimate type to speak to the nation last weekend, having stated that your Government would end waiting lists permanently."
Mr Kenny and Mr Pat Rabbitte also challenged the Taoiseach on his statement that there would be full medical care on a 24-hour basis in all hospitals.
Mr Kenny asked if it meant full accident and emergency cover, or just a doctor and nurse at the end of a telephone line.
Mr Ahern said he had reiterated what the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, had stated. "As I also said, in many of the hospitals in question, they did not have an accident and emergency service, so you were not going to open up one. I said 24-hour medical cover."
Mr Rabbitte asked if it was now a case of the Government walking away from the Hanly report on the health services.
Mr Ahern said that the Hanly report was still part of the reform package of the Department of Health.
"It is claimed that Hanly ignored or placed insufficient emphasis on access to services for patients outside major population areas.
"On the matter of the weekend events, I have been listening to some of the arguments of people opposed to Hanly.
"It is baffling how anyone can suggest that a doubling of consultant numbers and an increase in services in the regions can be seen as a slowing down.
"The Hanly report does not recommend centralisation of acute hospital care into a few large hospitals or the downgrading of hospitals."
The Labour spokeswoman on health, Ms Liz McManus, remarked: "Of course, it did."
Mr Ahern said Hanly argued for the decentralisation of a large proportion of elective acute care and other services currently delivered in large acute hospitals to smaller local hospitals.
"This means investment in and development of local hospitals."