The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, this evening opened the 68th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis. Some 5,000 delegates are in the capital for the event which is taking place at the City West Hotel.
Mr Ahern was expected to address the Ard Fheis is expected to address the issue of health reform in his speech this evening.
A party source indicated that Mr Ahern will pledge to keep 24-hour emergency cover at a number of smaller hospitals in the mid-west and east coast regions contrary to the Hanly report recommendations.
Mr Ahern is also expected to tell delegates that he is ready to do battle with hospital consultants to reform the health service.
With the European and local elections due to take place in June, the theme of this year's two-day conference is 'Meeting the Challenge'.
Delegates are expected to hold a number of question and answer sessions on several issues including the Minister for Environment's new guidelines on housing in the countryside.
Mr Ahern's main address to the Ard Fheis will take tomorrow evening.