Fianna Fáil's pre-election ardfheis continues today in Dublin after it was opened by the Taoiseach last night.
Mr Ahern told the opening session that the next government will have to study the result of the abortion referendum to learn its implications.
Dealing with the referendum result, Mr Ahern said he had not changed his "personal views" on abortion. "My views are well known. But the people have spoken and the people's voice is the final word in democracy.
"It will be the work of the next government to study and understand the results and implications of this referendum, and to act upon it. And above all, in doing so, the will of the sovereign people as expressed at the ballot box should be respected."
In fighting mood before delegates gathered in the Citywest Hotel, the Taoiseach rejected the call by the Fine Gael leader, Mr Noonan, to call the general election immediately.
"I note that the leader of the Opposition has said that he wants me to call it now because his party can't stick the pace. I have responded that I just hope that he will be the leader when we do get there," he said, to loud applause.
Emphasising once more that he intends to hold to his election timetable, he went on: "Like all the other promises that I have made and kept, we will fight the election in the fine days of May."
Mr Ahern will deliver his keynote address tonight at 8 p.m.
Fianna Fáil says an estimated 6,000 people will attend the ardfheis as well as 300 journalists who will cover the event.
The last Irish Times/MRBI poll showed the Government parties have again strengthened their support as Fine Gael and its leader, Mr Michael Noonan, slip further in advance of the general election.
The poll also showed Mr Ahern remains firmly on course to return as Taoiseach. His party's support rose a point to 42 per cent, and satisfaction with the Government rose four points to 56 per cent. Mr Ahern's satisfaction rating is at 67 per cent, down one point, according to the poll.