The heads of the proposed Coastal Zone Management Bill are expected in the spring, the Taoiseach told the House.
Mr Ahern was replying to Mr Trevor Sargent (Green Party), who said the legislation had been promised as long ago as 1994.
A manager is to be appointed by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey.
The manager, who will have the grade of assistant secretary within the Department, will work with a number of agencies including the Department of the Environment and the Department of Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands as well as the relevant local authorities.
"There have been over 4,000 submissions made on the matter," said Mr Sargent who wondered what the new manager would be able to do in the absence of the relevant legislation.
The new legislation would replace the existing Foreshore Acts and provide a new legal framework for the management of the coastal zone, said Mr Ahern.