The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will meet the newly elected Fianna Fáil senators in Government Buildings today.
The meeting takes place amid intensive canvassing within Fianna Fáil for the prestigious post of Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad as well as inclusion in the Taoiseach's 11 nominees. There was speculation yesterday that the 11 names would not be announced until the end of next week.
Mr Ahern is due to attend the Galway Races next week, but he will return to Dublin to work in his office on Thursday and Friday.
Four of those nominees will be from the Progressive Democrats. It is likely that Mr Ahern will reappoint Mr Maurice Hayes, and perhaps another senior figure from the North.
This would leave him with five places, one of which is likely to go to former minister Ms Mary O'Rourke, who lost her Dáil seat in Westmeath in the general election.
Ms O'Rourke is among those interested in the post of cathaoirleach. Established senators such as Mr Paschal Mooney, Ms Anne Ormonde, Mr Rory Kiely, Mr Francis O'Brien and Mr Camillus Glynn may be among those to seek the post. It carries an annual salary of €83,607 as well as the provision of two official drivers paid for by the State.
If he wishes, Mr Ahern may nominate a senator to the post, but it is likely that he will follow a precedent set by other Fianna Fáil taoisigh and allow the party's senators to choose their nominee for cathaoirleach. One party source said that Mr Ahern would not get involved, adding: "If the Taoiseach sees a fence, he cannot resist sitting on it."
Meanwhile, in line with precedent, the position of Leas Chathaoirleach is likely to be allocated to Fine Gael, with established senators Mr Paul Coghlan and Mr Paddy Burke the frontrunners.
Mr Ahern's canvass for a close associate, Mr Tony Kett, during the Seanad election campaign, met with resistance from sections of the party organisation who were disappointed that their local TD had not been promoted to a ministerial position.
Although Mr Kett retained his seat comfortably, his vote was down on 1997. Mr Ahern may assuage some of the anger when he announces appointments to the chairs of Dáil committees.
These positions carry extra allowances as well as a degree of media exposure.
