The Government has indicated it will not scale back capital expenditure plans despite declining Exchequer returns and the global economic downturn.
Addressing the second annual public private partnership/private finance initiative global summit in Dublin yesterday, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said the Government would implement the National Development Plan.
"I am determined that we continue to invest heavily in the infrastructure programme of the National Development Plan to ensure that we are in a position to fully benefit from the recovery when it comes," Mr Ahern said.
The Minister of State for Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, said the State had significant infrastructure investments to make and was continuing to examine public private partnerships in that context.
"There are declining Exchequer returns but I think we must be careful here in Ireland and not talk ourselves into a crisis," he said.
"We are still in a very sound financial position. We still, in my view, have capacity and certainly the National Development Plan should be adhered to and should be delivered in full. The change in the world economy does not negate the necessity for us to deliver these major infrastructural facilities to continue to develop the economy."
The plan incorporates ambitious objectives for public private partnership investment in roads, water supply, LUAS/suburban rail and waste management, Mr Cullen said.
