There is considerable speculation in political circles as to who the Taoiseach will nominate to the Seanad.
His 11 nominations will include four members of the Progressive Democrats in line with a deal made between the two Government parties before taking office.
The PD nominations are likely to include Mr John Dardis, an outgoing senator, the party's chairman, Mr John Minihan, and Ms Kate Walsh, an unsuccessful candidate in Kildare North in the general election.
The Tanaiste and PD leader, Ms Harney, is expected to fill the fourth vacancy with a potential Dáil candidate.
The remaining seven are likely to include Ms Mary O'Rourke, as well as Mr Maurice Hayes. Mr Ahern will also consider for a nomination those with prospects of securing a Dáil seat the next time.
They may include Mr Michael Kitt, who lost his seat in Galway East; Ms Deirdre Heney, an unsuccessful candidate in Dublin North Central; Mr Paul Kelly, who polled impressively but failed to take a seat in Kildare North; Mr Tom Fleming, who came close to unseating the Independent Mr Jackie Healy-Rae in Kerry South; and Mr John Brassil, Kerry North, who turned in a strong performance in the Seanad elections.
Mr Pat Moylan, a close associate of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who, surprisingly, lost his Seanad seat, and Mr Darragh Colleary, an unsuccessful Seanad candidate, who may be groomed as a future Dáil candidate in Mayo, could also be on the Taoiseach's list.
The Taoiseach is also considering who should replace Ms O'Rourke as the party's deputy leader.
The current favourites are the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue. The speculation within party circles is that Mr McCreevy is the frontrunner.
Mr O'Donoghue is a close political associate of the Taoiseach who acquitted himself well as minister for justice in the last government. However, Mr McCreevy may have the edge in experience and seniority.
