The last year has been "tough" and Fianna Fáil has "taken a few knocks", the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said last night.
Speaking on the eve of the Fianna Fáil ardfheis in Killarney, Mr Ahern told a special meeting of the Kerry South branch of the party that it must be thick skinned during difficult periods.
"As Taoiseach, I am the first to admit that the last year has been tough. We are in the midst of a global economic downturn and it is unrealistic to expect Ireland to be immune from that," Mr Ahern said.
"Accordingly we have taken a few knocks but our skin must be thick enough to live with that," he added.
"And, yes, sometimes we have paid a heavy price for genuine difficult decisions. But I am convinced that the fundamental direction we are leading the country in is right."
Mr Ahern went on to say that unpopular decisions had to be taken to make sure public spending does not get out of control and "drag this country back into economic oblivion."
Referring to health reform Mr Ahern said a solution cannot be achieved overnight "and it certainly cannot be achieved without detailed planning and finally it cannot be achieved without the effort and goodwill of everyone currently working in the system."
"The challenge of achieving change that involves 100,000 people cannot be underestimated - and it's not going to happen without them."
Concluding, Mr Ahern said Fianna Fáil would "do everything to work with the people to ensure Ireland continues on the path of success."
"Over the past 70 weeks, I am convinced that we have set in train a series of key reforms that will allow this country to make further progress in improving services and quality of life in this country for generations to come."
Up to 5,000 Fianna Fáil supporters are expected to converge on Killarney this weekend for the ardfheis.