The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to meet tomorrow to elect a new chairman following the resignation of Mr John Ellis.
Mr Ellis stepped down as chairman and as a member of the committee two weeks ago because of pressure from Fine Gael over money owed to western farmers after the collapse of his meat company in the late 1980s.
The Irish Times learned last night that the Taoiseach's nominee to replace Mr Ellis on the committee is the Limerick West Fianna Fail TD, Mr Michael Collins. The Dail is to vote on Mr Collins's appointment today.
It is expected that the new chairman will be drawn from the other eight Fianna Fail members. The speculation last night was that the post, worth £10,000 a year, may go to the committee whip, Mr Johnny Brady. However, a final decision will not be made by Mr Ahern until today.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani authorities have still not ratified the nomination of Ireland's new honorary consul to Pakistan.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman said last night that the Pakistani ministry was still considering the matter.
The Department confirmed last month that Mr Ellis made successful representations to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, on behalf of Mr Haseeb Ahsan for the position. It is still not clear why Mr Ellis lobbied on Mr Ahsan's behalf.
Letters obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that Mr Ellis wrote to Mr Andrews last February 11th and enclosed Mr Ahsan's CV. He said he would "appreciate if Mr Ahsan could be favourably considered" for the appointment.
In a reply on February 25th, Mr Andrews told Mr Ellis that the question of the most suitable person to appoint was being considered by the Department.
On September 14th the Minister wrote again to Mr Ellis: "I am pleased to inform you that I have decided that the position should be offered to your nominee, Haseeb Ahsan. A formal letter of offer is being sent to him by the Department. The appointment is, of course, subject to the approval of the Pakistani authorities."
The Minister told the Dail recently that there were 11 applications for the position and he had received representations on behalf of other candidates.
Mr Ellis has declared in the annual declaration of interests of TDs that he and his wife, Patricia, are directors of the Indus Bank in Pakistan, a position for which he received no remuneration.