The Taoiseach has confirmed the General Election will be held on Friday May 17th.
Speaking outside Government Buildings Mr Ahern thanked coalition partners the Progressive Democrats for a "constructive partnership".
He then travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin where the President, Mrs McAleese, dissolved the 28th Dáil, by signing the Proclamation of Dissolution.
Mr Ahern announced polling stations will be open for 15 hours on May 17th - the longest poll in the history of the State - from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. He said the Friday poll would allow students and those working away from home to "participate in our democracy".
He listed the Government's achievements while in office, saying 380,000 people had been taken out of tax net and that the highest minimun wage in Europe had been introduced. He also pointed to advances in health, education and in the fight against crime.
He said: "The era of mass unemployment and emigration has been brought to an end. Today Ireland is a place of hope, a place to live and prosper, not a place to leave."
He added: "The achievement of which we are most proud is the historic breakthrough for peace, the ceasefires, the Good Friday Agreement, the referenda, and the hard ceaseless work that has been done to bring an end to armed conflict on this island."
Mr Ahern praised his Coalition partners and independents who supported the Government.
"This has been a constructive partnership government and I am grateful for their contributions to an unprecedented term of peace, prosperity and progress."
In a surprise move last night Mr Ahern told the Dáil, where only three deputies were present: "I wish to inform the House . . . as a matter of courtesy, that I intend to proceed to Áras an Uachtaráin at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning to advise the President pursuant of Article 13 of the Constitution to dissolve Dáil Éireann and to summon the incoming Dáil to meet at 10.30 a.m. Thursday, June 6th, 2002.
"To those members of the House who are not seeking re-election I wish every success and happiness in the future. I wish all other members well in their endeavours to return to the House," the Taoiseach said.
Political parties will kick off the election camping in earnest today with a series of photocalls and press conferences.
