The Government tonight moved to protect cross-border bodies in the Belfast Agreement.
Its amendment to the British-Irish Agreement Bill will enable decisions of the North/South Ministerial Council to be taken by the Irish and British governments together.
Tonight's move came just a day before the reconvening of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation forum in Dublin.
The Taoiseach Mr Ahern said the amendment was essential to preserve and protect a key element of the Agreement.
He said the purpose of the Bill was allow the Irish and British governments to take decisions in relation to the North/South bodies while devolved government in Northern Ireland was suspended.
"Immediately following the suspension of devolved government, the Irish and British Governments issued a joint statement which made clear that, while the Assembly was suspended, the Agreement was not," Mr Ahern said. "This is a vital distinction."
He went on: "We also gave a commitment to work together during the temporary suspension period to ensure that the Agreement and its achievements were protected and developed.
"Pending the restoration of devolved government therefore, it falls to the two governments, as guardians of the Agreement, to take whatever steps are necessary to fulfil this mandate and to manage the period ahead."
Sinn Féin leader in the Dáil Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin spoke out against the legislation during the debate.
He said: "We should not have this legislation before us. It is necessitated by the unilateral suspension of the All-Ireland Ministerial Council, the inclusive Executive and the Assembly by the British Government.