Leader's speech (edited).
"We are here not to focus on the past, but to plan for the future. We are in the midst of prosperity that only a generation ago seemed beyond our reach. We have made more progress, more rapidly, than almost any other European country in living memory. I stand before you at a moment in Irish history, which many thought would never come - we are an island at peace, a new Ireland is being born.
On almost every measure, Ireland is stronger today than we were 10 years ago. Tonight, however, I will not dwell on the extraordinary achievements of the past decade; instead I want to look ahead - I want to look forward - to where Ireland must go in the years to come.
The purpose of politics, the very purpose that Fianna Fáil has set itself, is to craft and implement the practical plans that can move a complex, modern and vibrant society forward. Some of those plans like Transport 21, the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation and our agreement with the social partners, Towards 2016, are agreed and are being implemented. Others, like the new National Development Plan and our Budget for 2007 are in the very final stages of preparation. These are thought-out and joined-up policies from a party focused on moving Ireland forward.
Ireland's progress
Two decades ago our country faced the realities of hard times: unemployment, emigration and high taxation. In those dark days, we did not have a country where our children could grow up and then stay; where our parents could live in dignity and security; and where our people could achieve in their lives everything that their hard work entitled them to. Even the top experts questioned if Ireland had a viable economic future. We were not only losing our future, we were losing our hope.
Today those questions are swept away. And the new question today is how bright that future will be and how much we can achieve together.
Politics and people
For me, politics has always been about people. I enjoy the company of people and I know that good government and public service can lift all of us in extraordinary ways. I became involved in politics because I wanted to make a difference in the life of my own community. And while we would all, I am sure, lead perfect lives if hindsight were foresight, I am proud of my record and grateful for the chance you have given me to serve Ireland - all of Ireland, North and South.
Peace
Bringing peace to Northern Ireland has been both our greatest challenge and our greatest achievement. There has been no other issue which has taken up so much of my time, because no other issue is as central to our cause.
We are working hard to build peace. We are working hard to build trust. We have won the argument for a new Ireland. A new Ireland based on the principles of freedom, of equality and of democracy. These are our principles - the principles of constitutional republicanism.
We believe in a united Ireland. We cherish that aspiration. We have always stood against those who sought to use violence to achieve it. That day is done.
It sowed division and set back the cause of Irish unity. This year we paid tribute to the heroes of 1916 and saw on the streets of our capital city how much respect the Irish people have for the founders of our State.
And, we also paid tribute to the dead of the Battle of the Somme. We respect those who share our island but do not share our aspirations. We recognise their democratic rights and we acknowledge both their history and their tradition.
I believe the agreement at St Andrews will finally and fully unlock the massive potential for permanent peace and progress. That agreement creates space for everybody. It underpins the Good Friday agreement and addresses the reasonable concerns of all in relation to the outstanding issues. With peace we can build prosperity for everyone.
But, to succeed, we must think in different and creative ways. We are already introducing an all-island free travel scheme, as we said we would. We are developing all-island approaches to healthcare, so that people can get the best treatment wherever they live on this island.
We are working on key cross-Border infrastructure projects, improving the road, rail and electricity networks. We have already opened new road links to Belfast and the northeast. We will now turn our attention - with the same energy and determination - to improving access to Donegal, to Derry and to the northwest.
We will also start to plan a new North / South project to restore and reopen the Ulster Canal to create a major inland waterway for the Border region.
Fifteen years ago, that region was one of the most heavily fortified in Europe with more than 100 crossings closed.
Tonight, I can announce that the final few Border roads closed during the Troubles will be reopened. Working together in agreement, North and South, we can be a world-beater.
I look forward to the day, very soon, when the Northern Ireland Executive and North/South Ministerial Council are restored and that partnership can blossom.
The dream of peace can and will become a reality, not just for our time but for all time.
Partnership with the people
The key to the progress of the last decade has been a partnership Government of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats working with and for the people. And, at the very heart of Ireland's success lies the hard work of the Irish people. No economic statistic can ever truly do justice to the talent, ambition and efforts of the people, who together are lifting this land and making it a place of prosperity and peace.
The threat to prosperity
But our prosperity can never be taken for granted. It is not invincible - and it is not indestructible. Unfortunately, our opponents do not share our belief that prosperity must be protected through measured actions and practical policies. They believe the only challenge left is to spend it all.
There is no going back as long as this Government leads this country. We reject the course of buying your way into office by promising all things to all people. We reject the empty promises of the Opposition. They can promise something for everyone in every audience if they want, but we instead commit to chart a strategy of prosperity based on real plans, real numbers and real results. Our strategy is practical and it is achievable. And at its heart is an Ireland that is fairer and stronger.
A fairer Ireland
Let me talk about fairness. Our programme of reducing taxes has been at the core of our economic strategy and success. We will keep taxes low and focus resources for those most in need, particularly hard-pressed families.
We understand that working families need us to keep taxes low. But we also recognise a fundamental truth that our opponents refuse to see: that cutting taxes was essential to the economic strength of Ireland today. It provided the jobs, it provided the extra revenue, and it funded the huge increase in public services for all.
Health
Before I was elected to represent my local community, I worked in my local hospital. I know how hard people work in hospitals and in the community to look after patients.
Today, investment in health has never been higher, vital reform is gathering pace and the results are being delivered.
When hundreds more doctors and thousands more nurses ensure 300,000 more patient discharges from our hospitals, compared to when I became Taoiseach, I call that progress. When waiting times for operations are measured in months rather than in years. I call that progress.
When the numbers of hospitals providing cardiac care has increased from 12 to 29 and when 800 more professionals are providing that care in hospitals and in the community, I call that progress.
When 40,000 more admissions for cancer care are accommodated in our hospitals than in 1997, I call that progress too. All these and more are real measures of progress.
And they are real measures of what we are and what we stand for. We are a caring party and we know about real life and real situations. We understand that people expect the best for their loved ones.
That is why the Government is focusing on improving our A&E services. And, the improvements are now coming. Month by month, week by week, far fewer people wait for admission, and thankfully they are waiting shorter times. And in most hospitals, people do not wait for long times at all.
When it comes to health, others just criticise. We will continue to lead.
A stronger Ireland
We are determined to build a stronger Ireland. First of all, this depends on a sound economy. The prescription of our opponents to spend and spend almost destroyed the Irish economy once before. We understand if Ireland is to be a success in the years ahead, we must stand together to create a future of responsible budgets and right choices.
In just a few weeks, Brian Cowen will publish detailed spending plans and a Budget for next year. In January, we will launch a new National Development Plan for the coming seven years. It will be an ambitious, costed and well thought-out plan for developing our economic and community infrastructure.
Our National Development Plan will lay out in detail how Ireland will become a world centre for research. We will create and incubate here in our own country the industries of the future. We will develop them in biotech and high tech and communications and in other cutting edge enterprises like pharmaceuticals.
On broadband, we will roll out access to every part of Ireland and will shortly announce plans to bring provision to the 10 to 15 per cent of areas still without coverage. Transport
The new National Development Plan embraces the ambitious programme for motorways and public transport set out in Transport 21. Look at the change that we have already made: the Mullingar bypass, the Fermoy bypass and the Monaghan town bypass are just a few of the major works completed.
And imagine the changes that are yet to come. In Dublin, the Port Tunnel is about to open and the critical upgrading of the M50 is well under way. Around the country, the Waterford city bypass, the Charlestown bypass and the road from Kinnegad to Athlone are among the many projects that are begun and that are being delivered.
In the entire 20th century, no new rail line was opened in Ireland.
At the last election, some people doubted if the Luas would ever be built - but we did, we built it.
This year, Luas will carry over 25 million passengers and now will be extended as well. And in a major milestone for public transport, a metro will be built from Swords to Dublin city centre.
Crime
A stronger Ireland also means that we must tackle crime wherever it happens, because crime makes people feel unsafe in their own communities. Central to this are the gardaí, on the beat and working with communities against crime. We need more gardaí to tackle crime and we are recruiting more new gardaí than ever in the history of the force.
Education
We are also determined to complete what is the largest school building and renovation programme in the history of our country with more than 1,300 projects being progressed this year. Thousands more will be completed in the coming years.
School buildings are important, but good teachers are essential. That is why we have hired 7,000 extra primary teachers since 1997. Because we are supporting children with special needs in mainstream schools, many of these teachers are targeted solely towards these children and towards disadvantaged areas.
Community life
Our ambition is to finish the job of redeveloping our most vulnerable communities. In places like Ballymun, hope is replacing hardship in Europe's single largest community renewal programme. And this process of renewal, where the poorest areas are turned into a showcase for the future, will be continued and deepened.
Rural Ireland
Rural Ireland has gone through a period of profound change. We recognise and understand that support for farmers and for our coastal communities is a centrepiece of our party and everything we stand for.
Fianna Fáil are prepared to stand up for farmers, to embrace change and invest significantly in a viable and sustainable future for farming.
No other party can deliver such a future, because no other party has our belief in that future.
Pensions
For Ireland's older citizens, we will improve their quality of life by continuing to raise the old-age pension. Pensions are a priority for us. They always have been. Concern for the elderly is at the core of our principles as a party - and we have seen the results. The largest series of pension increases ever in this country has been the product of a strong economy and a strong social commitment. We promised that we would achieve €200 per week at least in 2007 and more than double the old-age pension in a decade.
In a few weeks, we will do exactly that.
And for those who may not even be thinking about retirement yet, we also have a responsibility. The Ireland that we will build will be one where everyone can retire in dignity and security.
We will defend and grow the National Pension Reserve Fund that today holds over €17 billion. Every year, we will continue to put aside money to provide decent pensions in the years ahead.
We will also introduce new initiatives to encourage working people to invest early in their own pension provision.
A stronger, fairer Ireland, from early childhood to secure retirement - that is what the right policies, implemented by the right Government, will achieve for Ireland's future.
Achieving all that we can become A fairer, stronger Ireland. That is the pledge of Fianna Fáil: the proof is our work of a decade - real progress, not empty promises. And the driving force behind it all is our constant commitment to move our country forward.
Our ambition is clear. Our progress is unshakable. An Ireland joined together in building, sustaining and developing all that we can become.
An Ireland at peace, an island of hope, a country that can stand proud in the world and that will stand secure for our children and for our children's children, so that the legacy we leave is the shared future we are working towards, committing to and delivering on.
So let us continue."