The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste have given the strongest indication yet that they want Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats to form a new government after the next general election.
Speaking at the publication of a progress report reviewing four years in office, Mr Ahern and Ms Harney insisted, however, they will run separate election campaigns.
Claiming the coalition had created jobs, cut crime and reduced taxation, Mr Ahern said: "I hope this Government is re-elected so we can continue with the job."
The Tanaiste highlighted tax changes, particularly those for the lower-paid: "I believe when the government started over four years ago, very few people gave us even six months. The Government has been extremely stable and we will continue to serve our full term, and I believe this government is the first government since 1969 that has a real chance of being returned to power after the next election."
Mr Ahern insisted the general election would not take place until next summer, in line with the promise given in 1997 to implement a programme for government over five years.
While previous progress reports from the Government listed achievements, yesterday's 130-page document reads like an election manifesto.
It claimed the coalition devoted "attention, resources and energy" to the difficulties facing house buyers.
The Opposition last night condemned the publication of the document. The deputy leader of the Labour Party, Mr Brendan Howlin, said: " is a PR stunt by the Government using taxpayers' money to spin its story for the election. It is an insult to the electorate's intelligence. The truth is that, despite enjoying the greatest prosperity in the history of the State, the sad reality is that as a society we have little to show for it."
Focusing on problems in the health service, Fine Gael's health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell said: "This Government's performance in health care is a litany of promises made and promises broken."
It had failed to deliver on its promises to improve cancer care, produce a national health strategy, improve patients' rights to better information and extend free GP care to the over70s, he said.
