The St Andrews Agreement on the restoration of power-sharing in Northern Ireland "will finally and fully unlock the massive potential for permanent peace and progress", the Taoiseach has said.
Addressing the 70 thFianna Fáil Ardfheis in Dublin last night, Mr Ahern said the accord underpins the Belfast Agreement and addresses the "reasonable concerns" of all in relation to the outstanding issues.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
The Taoiseach said he looked forward to the day "very soon", when the Northern Ireland Executive and North/South Ministerial Council are restored.
Buoyed by recent opinion polls hugely favourable to himself and his party, the Taoiseach used his speech to highlight the theme of the event - A Fairer and Stronger Ireland.
The Fianna Fáil leader said that bringing peace to Northern Irealnd had been "both our greatest challenge and our greatest achievement".
"There has been no other issue which has taken up so much of my time, because no other issue is as central to our cause," Mr Ahern said.
"We are working hard to build peace. We are working hard to build trust. We have won the argument for a New Ireland. A new Ireland based on the principles of freedom, of equality and of democracy. These are our principles - the principles of constitutional republicanism."
Mr Ahern reiterated his party's belief in a united Ireland. "We cherish that aspiration," he said. "We have always stood against those who sought to use violence to achieve it."
He added: "We respect those who share our island but do not share our aspirations. We recognise their democratic rights and we acknowledge both their history and their tradition.
"I believe the agreement at St Andrews will finally and fully unlock the massive potential for permanent peace and progress. That agreement creates space for everybody."
Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern
Mr Ahern said that "in almost every measure" Ireland is stronger today than it was 10 years ago, but he wanted to look ahead to where Ireland must go in the years to come.
The Taoiseach, who faced criticism last month for accepting payments from businessmen while he was Minister for Finance, said he was proud of his own record in politics.
"For me, politics has always been about people. I enjoy the company of people and I know that good government and public service can lift all of us in extraordinary ways. I became involved in politics because I wanted to make a difference in the life of my own community. And while we would all, I am sure, lead perfect lives if hindsight were foresight, I am proud of my record and grateful for the chance you have given me to serve Ireland - all of Ireland, North and South," he said.
Mr Ahern highlighted a number of current cross-border initiatives, including all-island approaches to healthcare and infrastructure projects such as the planned restoration of the Ulster Canal.
He said the "final few" border roads closed during the Troubles would be reopened.
Criticising the Opposition, Mr Ahern said they had "no idea" how to sustain prosperity.
"The key to the progress of the last decade has been a partnership Government of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats working with and for the people. And, at the very heart of Ireland's success lies the hard work of the Irish people. No economic statistic can ever truly do justice to the talent, ambition and efforts of the people, who together, are lifting this land and making it a place of prosperity and peace," he said.
"But our prosperity can never be taken for granted. It is not invincible - and it is not indestructible. Unfortunately, our opponents do not share our belief that prosperity must be protected through measured actions and practical policies. They believe the only challenge left is to spend it all."
"Well I have a message for those who say that prosperity was easily won from the days of emigration, unemployment and high taxation and who would easily risk it now. I say to them, to our opponents, you have no idea of how to achieve prosperity, how to sustain prosperity, how to expand prosperity. You have no understanding of how hard the Irish people have worked. You have no comprehension of how the policies of this Government have made a difference and empowered the Irish people. And I tell you this, we will never return to a reckless Government which spends every Euro today without any concern for the consequences of tomorrow."
Mr Ahern said Ireland's hard-won prosperity would be "strengthened, not squandered" and he rejected what he called the "empty promises" of the Opposition.
The Fianna Fáil leader said the programme of reducing taxes had been at the core of economic strategy and success.
"We will keep taxes low and focus resources for those most in need, particularly hard pressed families," he said.
He committed the Government to further raising the old age pension and said concern for the elderly was at the core of the party's principles.
Mr Ahern said improvements in the health services were now coming and he also said the forthcoming National Development Plan would be "an ambitious, costed and well thought out plan for developing our economic and community infrastructure."