The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said yesterday he did not hear any booing when he took the stage at the opening ceremony on Saturday night.
He was booed as well as applauded when he addressed the crowd at the Croke Park event.
Some disability groups had threatened to boycott the Games because of what they said was the Government's lack of support for people with disabilities. However, there were no protests during the opening ceremony.
Asked if he was disappointed with the reaction, Mr Ahern said: "To be honest, I didn't even hear it. I heard a few people shout, on the left... but I didn't even notice. I'm used to going to the matches where you get a lot of booing. If there was some, it was very little because I'd normally pick it up. But no one's perfect."
The Taoiseach was speaking to The Irish Times during a walk-about at the RDS. Mr Ahern said he was trying to visit as many sports venues as he could during the week, and meet as many volunteers as possible.
He praised the work of Special Olympics volunteers, and said there was not one person in the country who had not contributed to the Special Olympics over the past four years.
Mr Ahern visited the Healthy Athlete marquee, and said he was very impressed with the medical help on offer to athletes. "It's terrific that there are so many other facilities as well as the games and the sports. From the point of view of entertainment, and education and health, it's good." The sense of fun and enjoyment in the different venues was amazing.
The Taoiseach reluctantly tried his hand at putting a golf ball in Athlete Town. "God help him, he's not a golfer," one woman said as the ball went sailing past the hole.
Mr Ahern encouraged people to attend venues during the week to see the athletes. A spectator hotline 01-810 2003 will give information on venues and times.
