Taoiseach names 11 for Seanad seats

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has named his 11 nominees for the Seanad this lunchtime.

As expected, Dan Boyle and Deirdre de Burca of the Green Party are both included after failing to secure election to the Dáil.

The two nominees from the PDs are Fiona O'Malley and Ciaran Cannon.

Ms O'Malley lost her Dáil seat in May, while Mr Cannon failed to get elected in Galway East

Six of the other nominees are Fianna Fáil members Martin Brady, Ivor Callely, Maria Corrigan, John Ellis, Lisa McDonald and Brian O Domhnaill.

The first five all mounted unsuccessful Dáil campaigns in May, while Mr O Domhnaill failed to get elected to the Seanad on the industrial and commercial panel.

The Taoiseach's final nominee is Sunday Independent columnist and part-time UCD lecturer Eoghan Harris.