The Taoiseach has paid tribute to all the former leaders of Fianna Fail, including Charles Haughey.
Mr Ahern was addressing the party's 80th anniversary celebration at the Mansion House in Dublin.
He said the country owed much of its present prosperity to courageous decisions taken in 1987 and 1988 by Charles Haughey and his government.
Relatives of all five former Fianna Fail leaders attended the function, but Mr Haughey was not present because of ill-health.
