The Taoiseach travels today to Berlin for talks with chancellor Angela Merkel on the draft European Constitution and other EU issues.
The meeting will also focus on preparations for the German presidency of the European Union, which begins in January.
Mr Ahern is due to have talks with Sinn Féin and SDLP representatives in Government Buildings this morning before flying to Germany. He plans to return to Ireland later this evening.
The visit to Berlin marks the beginning of an intense EU agenda for the Taoiseach. On October 20th, he will attend an informal meeting of EU heads of state in Lahti, Finland, which will focus on the innovation and external energy policies of the union. The leaders will also meet Russian president Vladamir Putin during the summit.
Next month Mr Ahern is due to meet with the European Commission in Brussels, for the first time since 2001.
His advisers say this meeting will enable Mr Ahern to have a full exchange on the entire spectrum of EU business. Later next month he will address a plenary session of the European Parliament.
The Taoiseach's last address to the parliament was in 2004, when he reported on Ireland's EU presidency.
The following day, European Parliament president Josep Borrell will be in Dublin to address the National Forum on Europe on the question of the democratic deficit and the role of the European Parliament.
On December 14th and 15th the Taoiseach will participate in the European Council in Brussels.
Last night the Taoiseach said of his forthcoming programme of engagements: "This intense series of meetings will assist Ireland in raising its profile on the European stage and enable the Government to build further on its excellent relations with the European institutions and the other member states."
