The Taoiseach officially opened the new £7 million Store Street Garda station in Dublin yesterday, describing it as the "best ever built in this country".
Outside the gleaming new entrance to Ireland's busiest station, Mr Ahern reaffirmed the Government's commitment to fighting crime, particularly the drug problem, and acknowledged that many other Garda stations required refurbishment.
The almost £10 million for the Garda building programme this year was a "true sign of the Government's determination to enhance the working conditions of members of the Garda Siochana nationwide", he said.
The opening was also attended by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, and a number of senior officers.
Store Street is the Divisional Headquarters for C District. Last year 12,000 prisoners were processed through the station and gardai dealt with more than 20,000 cases. The purchase of the Kylemore Bakery site beside the station in 1990 paved the way for the £7 million refurbishment.
The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has family connections with Store Street station. His father, Mr Michael Byrne, served there between 1924 and 1953, and the Commissioner's son, Garda Michael Byrne, is stationed there.
The Garda Commissioner said the new facility was "magnificent" and all those serving there would do so with great pride. Store Street was a "tough station" to work from and he acknowledged the great work done by the gardai in C District.
Mr Byrne also spoke of the "great community spirit" and the ongoing interaction between gardai and local people.