Taoiseach set to name 11 nominations for Seanad

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, could name his 11 nominations for the Seanad as early as today.

The other 49 seats in the upper house of parliament have already been filled after last week's vote counts for the university and vocational candidates.

The Green Party and the PDs are set to get two seats each in the Taoiseach's nominations as part of a deal negotiated with Fianna Fáil.

Former Green TD Dan Boyle, who lost his Dail seat at the last election, is almost certain to be among the nominations, along with Deirdre de Burca, who just failed to get elected for the Greens in May.

The PDs, meanwhile, have appointed an advisory body to select their two Senators on the basis of who is most likely to clinch a Dail seat at the next general election.