Number-crunching time as leaders select lucky 13

TAOISEACH-in-waiting Enda Kenny will spend today working with his new coalition partner to plot the 13 TDs who will be nominated for seats at Cabinet.

Members of both parties are anxiously awaiting the dividing up of portfolios and it is inevitable high-profile figures in both parties will lose out.

Mr Kenny got a timely boost as comments from the European Commission called for Ireland to be given more time to recover and more generous bailout terms.