Judge Brian Curtin has been given another fortnight to respond to the Government's request that he explain matters emerging from the case against him on charges of possessing child pornography.
Judge Curtin, who was acquitted on the charges after it emerged that the warrant used by the gardaí to search his home had expired, contacted the Government at the weekend to ask for more time to respond.
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Cabinet decided at its meeting this morning that the judge would be given the two weeks he requested.
Mr Ahern said the Government had received two reports, one from the Director of Public Prosecutions and one from the Garda. It would not consider these until Judge Curtin had sent his own reply, the Taoiseach said.
The Kerry judge had sent an initial reply to a letter sent to him by the Government last week. He had been given up until 9.30 a.m. today to put his case following his acquittal last month.
The Government wants Judge Curtin to resign or be sacked without financial compensation following the collapse of the case against him.
Government sources said last night that the request for more time may indicate that the judge is preparing to respond in substance to the Cabinet's request for an explanation, rather than insist that, since he was found not guilty, the Government has no business in starting what may be seen as another trial through Oireachtas impeachment proceedings.
The weekly Cabinet meeting is expected to finish at around lunchtime. The decision to scrap the electronic voting system for the June 11th elections is also likely to be discussed at the meeting and the Government will face strong criticism on the issue in the Dáil later today.