The Taoiseach Mr Ahern repeated his insistence that a controversial ban on workplace smoking would go ahead on schedule early in the new year at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fhéis in Killarney yesterday.
Mr Ahern maintained: "Smoking damages the health of those who smoke - it will kill 7,500 people this year - but smoking also damages the health of those who have no choice but to work where smoking is allowed.
"So from January, smoking will no longer be allowed in the workplace - and the ban will include pubs and nightclubs.
Mr Ahern took time to criticise the Opposition and said that it cannot yet present itself as a coherent alternative government. "Those who lacked the courage or capacity to govern in the 1980s" need not give him any lectures, he said.
The Taoiseach also promised to set up a National Infrastructure Board to speed up projects of national importance. Mr Ahern said he understood that criticism comes with the office he holds, but promised to work every day to build a better Ireland.
On the issue of the economy, Mr Ahern said Ireland was far from the foreign markets where Irish wages were earned and the country's wealth was made.
He asserted: "We must succeed in addressing the economic issues within our control. That means fighting inflation and keeping costs down. Step by step, we are fighting inflation and we have been winning. But the threat to our progress remains.
"From the companies who hoard land for housing, to the privileged professions where there is too much cosiness and too little competition, our economy is being held back and being held to ransom.
"And tonight I say to those who will put their own interests ahead of the national interest - this government will use all of its power to put the people first."
Additional reporting PA