D-Day for Seanad hopefuls

COUNTING in the Seanad elections today enters its final day when all of the 49 seats should be filled.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will then consider his 11 nominees to complete the 60-seat upper house of parliament for the coming term.

Last night former Dublin Labour TD Derek McDowell looked certain to be elected to the Senate but defeated FG Cork South Central TD Deirdre Clune appeared unlikely to succeed.