The Taoiseach officially opened the new headquarters of the Western Development Commission in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, yesterday.
Mr Ahern said the Government was "working for a better balance in growth and development over the country as a whole" and that the £3.7 billion plan presented to the Government two weeks ago by the commission would be "an important input" into the National Development Plan.
Hundreds of people turned out for the opening of Dillon House, which was also attended by the Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton.
The former Fine Gael leader, James Dillon, who died in 1986, lived in the house as did his father John Dillon - a prominent member of the Land League - and his grandfather, John Blake Dillon, a founder member of the Young Ireland movement.
The chief executive of the commission, Mr Liam Scollan, said he was "heartened" by initial responses from Government circles to the commission's plan.