Former transport minister and leader of the Seanad, Mrs Mary O'Rourke will be a judge for RTE's latest reality television show The House of Love,to be screened this Sunday night.
Over the eight weeks of the show, couples will battle it out to win the prize of a €200,000 dream home.
Best-selling romantic novelist, Ms Marian Keyes will also be a judge on the show.
Spokesperson for the show, Ms Karen Fitzpatrick said Mrs O'Rourke was chosen because she's a "very high-profile person and is known for her commonsense-approach to everything".
Contestants will be tested on their romantic knowledge of each other and they'll be asked to complete tasks on the hour-long show. Cameras will follow the couples around during the week in their workplace and at home.
Comedian Sean Moncrieff and broadcaster Brenda Donohue will host the show live on a space-age style set with a studio audience.
The public will also get a chance to participate in voting off one of two couples each week. The two couples with the fewest points each night will be up for elimination but they can make a plea to the public to be allowed to stay before the judges cast their votes.