The Sligo-Leitrim Fianna Fail TD Mr John Ellis made successful representations in recent months to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, for the appointment of a businessman as the new Irish Honorary Consul in Pakistan.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed last night that Mr Andrews had approved the appointment of Mr Haseeb Ahsan to the post. The appointment has now to be ratified by Pakistan.
The spokesman also confirmed that Mr Ellis, ail TD, Mr John Ellis, who it emerged last week had had a £230,000 debt written off by NIB, made representations to Mr Andrews about Mr Ahsan's appointment.
"The Minister also received representations about other people," he said.
The spokesman said that the Irish Ambassador in Tehran, Mr Tom Lyons, interviewed several potential candidates, including Mr Ahsan, and it was decided he was the best person for the post.
The matter is now with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad for ratification.
Last night Ireland's former honorary consul in Pakistan, Dr Nadeem Beg, told The Irish Times that he had requested a meeting in Dublin this week with the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, to express his concern at the appointment.
Dr Beg claimed in a High Court hearing in 1994 that Mr Albert Reynolds had terminated his position as honorary consul on November 18th, 1994. Dr Beg, a British citizen of Pakistani origin, said in court he believed that as honorary consul he had knowledge of financial matters involving Mr Khursid Sohail and Mr Ellis.
Dr Beg said last night that the new nominee for honorary consul, Mr Ahsan, was a close associate and confidant of Mr Sohail and Mr Ellis. Mr Sohail is president and chairman of the Indus Bank in Pakistan.
Mr Ellis and his wife, Patricia, are directors of the Indus bank, as Mr Ellis had confirmed in the annual declaration of TDs' interests.