The Taoiseach has ruled out compensation for non-farming industries stricken by foot-and-mouth.
Mr Ahern also said he had made further representations to the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair about Britain's response to the crisis prompted by the disease.
He said of the position generated by yesterday's Co Louth development: "The greater good dictates that we must manage this difficult situation even it sometimes means going to the extremes.
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"We are going to have to continue going to the extremes because in the long run that's the right thing to do."
Mr Ahern, in Stockholm for the European Union summit, said: "I raised with Mr Blair that disinfectant facilities in the Northern [Ireland] ports had to be seen to be up to the proper standards.
"I stressed that we would like to see more done on that. I know that they have a very difficult situation, and it's no good having a row about it - that won't solve anything.
"But our job is to emphasise that from our perspective the requirements we believe are necessary are taken at the ports where he [Mr Blair] is retaining control."
Mr Ahern stressed legislation existed to cover the compensation issue for farmers.
But it was "just not possible" to compensate other businesses.
"There are so many areas involved - tourism being the obvious one. Things are closed down all around the country, even in the heart of the city, where conferences have been called off.
"St Patrick's weekend was effectively a wake, and that had an enormous affect. We have to manage this as best we can but we cannot compensate the secondary industries."
PA