Government's progress report: The Government has accepted that voters are "disappointed" with the economic downturn, but denied again yesterday that it conned voters before the election.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, published an internal review of the coalition's first year in office, which claimed that Government was "leading as promised, not misleading as alleged".
The report on the implementation of the Programme for Government followed the publication in the past fortnight of two lengthy Fianna Fáil documents defending the Government's record.
The latest document was immediately dismissed by the Opposition, which accused the Government of engaging in a propaganda exercise.
However, Mr Ahern said: "The indisputable facts, which are the basis of this report, show that in the work of the past year, we have not only kept faith in a difficult period, with commitments made; but measure by measure, step by step, we are providing a solid foundation for Ireland's future."
On the economic situation, he said: "People feel a little disappointed that it's not as good as it was. They'd like to be back to where it was, and so would we."
Saying voters should read the progress report, Mr Ahern said: "I've a lot of abilities but I can't drive the Japanese economy, I can't drive the American economy, all I can do to the best of my abilities with the Tánaiste and our colleagues is to try and manage the Irish very well, and that's the reality."
The document said the public finances were sound, and placed the economic slowdown in the context of a difficult global downturn. However, Mr Ahern said the Irish economy was still growing faster than any other in the eurozone.
Ms Harney said the Government had maintained full employment "so far", and difficult choices had been made to protect prosperity.
Saying that the Government would run for another four years, she said priorities were sustaining employment, introducing competition to keep prices down and lower insurance costs.
On health, the report said there had been "significant areas of progress" in the implementation of the Government's strategy.
Noting the imminent production of three reports on a Government initiative to reform the service, the progress report said "considerable progress" had been made in reducing waiting times for public patients.
On a promise to increase the number of hospital beds by 3,000, the report said the first phase of the provision of beds in the acute hospitals would result in 709 additional places this year.
When asked why the document failed to mention the closure of hospital beds, Mr Ahern blamed the Opposition for introducing the legislation which forbids hospitals to run deficits.
He said there were "management issues" in the health service, and the difficulties arose due to over-spending by the Government in the past two years.
The document said a promise to recruit an additional 2,000 gardaí "will be implemented as and when economic circumstances permit".
On the cost of private housing, it said the Government remained committed to continuing the increase in supply "and bringing moderation in the rate of house price increases".
On social housing, it said 1,676 affordable housing transactions had been completed as part of a "significant increase" in activity in the scheme. "Output figures for the local housing programme in 2002, at 5,074 units, was up on that provided in 2001."
The document highlighted the new social partnership agreement, and the Government's efforts to restore the power-sharing institutions in the North.
Of the ratification of the Nice Treaty in a second referendum last autumn, the document said: "We listened to the public concerns about our engagement in Europe, and we acted upon them. Ireland's involvement in the EU is now more transparent and more accountable."
The report said the Government's stance on the Iraq war was "sensible and principled".
The document said: "What we have set out to fulfil is the destiny of the Irish people, living in prosperity on an island at peace with itself."
It added: "Our public finances are sound. Our economic prospects remain better than many of our neighbours. While we must be careful, we can also be confident."
