Deadline day for Seanad nominations

Dáil TDs and outgoing Senators have until today to nominate candidates for the next Seanad.

Hopefuls for the upper house of the Oireachtas, including defeated TDs, are campaigning hard to fill 43 seats.

They will represent a range of sectors of society including agriculture, labour, culture and education, industry and commerce and administration.

Each candidate needs the backing of at least four Oireachtas members.

Another six Senators will be elected by the alumni of Trinity College and the National University of Ireland.

The remaining 11 Senators will be nominated automatically by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Votes to elect the new Seanad will be cast next month by TDs, outgoing Senators and 1,000 city and county councillors across the country.