TDs and senators have voted in the Seanad by election which was caused by the death of the Cathaoirleach, Mr Sean Fallon.

Government sources last night confidently predicted that Mr Sam McAughtry would win the seat since the Coalition's combined vote in the Dail and Seanad gives him a majority of three over his Fianna Fail endorsed rival, Mr Paddy O'Hanlon.

Since noting was by private ballot, that prediction could be up set, however, if even a small number of Government Oireachtas members were to break rank.

Sources in Fine Gael and Labour said there was no evidence to believe that individual TDs or senators would defy the whip, but Fianna Fail members said they still hoped their candidate could scrape a narrow victory.

Voting was held in party rooms in Leinster House and each Oireachtas member was obliged to cast his or her vote before an official witness.

The votes were placed in sealed envelopes and sent by registered mail to the Clerk of the Seanad, Ms Deirdre Lane, for counting on February 23rd. The result will be known the same day.