The contribution of the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, to the Northern Ireland peace process was recognised last night by leading Irish-Americans at a gala dinner in Washington.
On behalf of the American Ireland Fund, the Taoiseach presented an award to Mr Blair, which was accepted on his behalf by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Mr Paul Murphy.
"Professionally and personally, I can think of few better companions on the journey ahead than Tony Blair," Mr Ahern said.
"It is our combined view that we must now quicken the pace and fast-track the process to completion. I know that we have your full support in this," he went on.
"I look forward to completing the remaining journey with the Prime Minister, who I know shares the vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Northern Ireland and the achievement of a society that cherishes all traditions.
"The Prime Minister and I are proud of the strong and very positive relationship we, and our two countries, enjoy today. We may not always see eye to eye on each and every issue, but when we do not, we make every effort to resolve our differences in the best interest of the process. In short, we are partners in the building of peace on the island of Ireland," he said.
Mr Ahern said he and Mr Blair were "fully committed and absolutely determined to finish the job on which we have embarked."
However, Sinn Féin's chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness said many people were now looking at the comparisons between Mr Blair's conduct in Northern Ireland and his actions in Iraq.
"In relation to Ireland, Tony Blair has been a positive influence. We disagree fundamentally with the way that he has handled unionist opposition, but he is deserving of credit," Mr McGuinness said.
Both he and the Sinn Féin president, Mr Gerry Adams, had told Mr Blair in advance of the Iraqi conflict that it would be "an unholy mess" if he invaded the country.
"It is going to take an awful long time for the British army and the American army to be pulled out, possibly 20 years," he said.
