THE Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, have done a deal on the Seanad elections which would give the Progressive Democrats four of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees after the count on August 6th.
In return, the PDs have agreed not to contest the elections and to ask their 37 councillors to vote for Fianna Fail candidates. These votes would help Fianna Fail to win an extra two or three seats.
The deal will be put to the PD councillors' forum for ratification tonight and to the party's national executive later in the week.
The guarantee of four Seanad seats would increase the PD parliamentary party to eight members, one more than the seven members required to give the party group status in the Oireachtas and thereby allow it to avail of all of the privileges afforded to the other main parties.
Ms Harney announced at the weekend that Ms Liz O'Donnell will be appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. She will hold responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights. Ms O'Donnell will also be the PD representative at the Northern talks.
Mr Michael Smith, Mr Eamon Cuiv and Mr Martin Cullen are among the list of TDs shortlisted for Minister of State appointments.
