ONLY two Ministers of State will be approved today by the Cabinet, with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, not expected to seek endorsement of the others until tomorrow.
A Government spokesman last night cited the Taoiseach's involvement in Northern Ireland business as the basis for not concluding all the appointments today.
The Cabinet, which meets this afternoon, will proceed with sanctioning the nomination of Ms Liz O'Donnell, of the Progressive Democrats, as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. Her appointment coincides with her entry, as part of the Government delegation, to the multi-party talks in Stormont.
Mr Michael Smith, who was not chosen last week by Mr Ahern as part of his Cabinet, will be declared the next Minister of State for Science and Technology. It was decided to go ahead with his nomination as he was the only member of the Fianna Fail front bench who did not make Mr, Ahern's Cabinet selection.
The Taoiseach will then put together the remaining members of his Ministers of State team and will have them approved by an "incorporeal" Cabinet decision. This involves the Government Secretary, Mr Frank Murray, contacting members of the Cabinet by telephone to confirm their respective approval.
It is not clear precisely how many Ministers of State Mr Ahern intends to appoint. His predecessor, Mr John Bruton, appointed 17 Ministers of State but it is thought that Mr Ahern will opt for a smaller figure.
Amid continuing speculation about the other Fianna Fail deputies to be chosen as Ministers of State, it is likely that Mr Eoin Ryan will take the Finance brief.
Two Ministers of State are expected to be appointed to Justice' and Mr Brian Lenihan, a lawyer, is tipped to take one of these. Mr Willie O'Dea, who also has a legal background, may be appointed to the Equality and Law Reform portfolio.
Mr Eamon O'Cuiv is also due to take a Ministry of State and is expected to go to the newly-named Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, where his cousin, Ms Sile de Valera, is Cabinet Minister.
Mr Martin Cullen, Mr Hugh Byrne, Mr Liam Aylward, Ms Mary Wallace and Ms Mary Coughlan are also on the list of those most likely to be appointed.
Mr Bobby Molloy, of the Progressive Democrats, has already been appointed as Minister of State to the Government and for the Environment.
A Minister of State post is much sought-after position. It carries an annual salary of Pounds 53,324 with the incumbents also allowed two civilian drivers whose salaries are paid by the State. They do no have a State car but benefits include a personal assistant and private secretary.
Meanwhile, in their deal will Fianna Fail on the Taoiseach' nominees to the Seanad, the Progressive Democrats are expected to choose candidates who stand the best chance of taking Dail seats in the next general election.
It is understood that the part leader and Tanaiste, Ms Harney will consider a list of names, including Ms Mairead Foley, who failed to win a seat in Dublin North East; Mr Tom Morrissey, the Fine Gael defector who sought a seat for the Progressive Democrats in Dublin West; Cllr Catherine Bulbulia, who did not succeed in Waterford; and Mr Jim Gibbons, who failed to take a seat in Carlow-Kilkenny.
Under the deal, Ms Harney will give the Taoiseach four names but has not, however, ruled out proposing Ms Mairin Quill, who lost her seat in Cork North Central; Ms Helen Keogh, who was not returned in Dun Laoghaire; and, the outgoing Senator John Dardis.
In return for securing four Seanad places, the Progressive Democrats have agreed to ask their 37 councillors to support Fianna Fail candidates. The councillors last night met in Dublin to discuss the plan and it is expected to be ratified shortly by the national executive.