Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mrs Mary O’Rourke has been nominated to the Seanad by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Mrs O’Rourke sensationally lost her Westmeath seat in the General Election to her running mate Mr Donie Cassidy, who ironically was leader of the Seanad until its dissolution last month.
Fianna Fáil general secretary Mr Martin Mackin has also been nominated by the Taoiseach. The Dundalk man was the party’s press officer the presidential campaign of 1997 that saw Mrs Mary McAleese elected.