The Taoiseach expressed his disappointment in the rejection of the Government's proposed amendment on abortion but said he accepted that the people had spoken.
Mr Ahern was speaking outside the Government Building before the last constituency - Galway West - result was declared. The overall result saw 50.42 per cent voting No, with 49.58 per cent voting Yes.
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The Taoiseach Mr Ahern outside a polling station yesterday. Photo by Paul McErlane/Reuters
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"I am disappointed but I am a democrat. I made a promise that I would bring it to the people and I think the proposal was an honest reflection of a consultative process," he added.
Mr Ahern said during the consultative process he had met "all of the groups" and found "a very wide divergence of views." He said "to bring that together and think you can legislate or put forward an amendment that would satisfy what would be the NO’s would not be possible."
He said the issue "has to be addressed but whatever happens the people have spoken and we must respect that."
The Taoiseach added that "the result of the election has not changed my personal view".
During the referendum campaign Mr Ahern said he was passionately anti-abortion.
Mr Ahern said politicians now faced a tough challenge as legislators in the wake of a defeat in the referendum.
He added that the plight of women travelling to Britain for abortion must also be addressed.