There are still opportunities for Irish businesses despite challenges in the European economy, the Taosieach said this morning.
Mr Ahern said the Government still hoped gross domestic product growth would come in around 3.5 per cent this year.
"If we this year get up to about 3.5 per cent, it's going to - in a very healthy way - help us," he said in an interview on RTE radio.
Mr Ahern said Europe's economies still faced challenges, adding that Germany was being held back by its commitment to pour money into its poorer eastern regions.
"There are still difficulties in the European economy," said Mr Ahern,
"Yesterday I was talking to the Germans. This year they have to transfer €83 billion again into the eastern economy, which is sucking an enormous amount of effort and resources out of Germany.
"That's holding back the lift that's necessary to get Europe going as good as it should," he added.
The German economy has been the laggard of the euro zone for some time and growth for the region as a whole has been less than impressive. However, economists and the European Commission expect data for the fourth quarter to confirm that the region is now recovering.