MR Bertie Ahern is expected to nominate at least six TDs without previous Government experience as members of the Cabinet after his election as Taoiseach of a minority coalition government when the 28th Dail meets this afternoon.
He will summon 12 apprehensive colleagues to offer them Cabinet posts later today. Progressive Democrats leader Ms Mary Harney will become the first woman Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Employment and Trade. The only other confirmed post is Mrs Mary O'Rourke, deputy leader of Fianna Fail, as Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.
After the roll call of members at the new Dail's first task will be to elect Mr Seamus Pattison, the Labour TD from Carlow/Kilkenny, as Ceann Comhairle.
Mr Ahern formally offered the position to Mr Pattison when he met him - with Mr Dick Spring's agreement - yesterday. The proposition will be put before the parliamentary Labour Party this morning. Mr Spring is likely to nominate him in the Dail.
Mr Ahern confirmed yesterday that he had come to "certain arrangements with a number of Independent TDs" to guarantee his election as Taoiseach. Contacts were still maintained with some of them, however, up to last night.
Fianna Fail believes it has secured firmer arrangements with Mr Jackie HealyRae and Ms Mildred Fox.
Fianna Fail could give no firm indication of Mr Thomas Gildea's voting intentions. it is understood that "the difficulties and the possibilities" of regularising the TV deflector system have been outlined to him.
Mr Harry Blaney is expected to vote for Mr Ahern as Taoiseach today but Mr Tony Gregory's intentions are unknown.
The two Green Party TDs, Mr Trevor Sargent and Mr John Gormley, were engaged in further discussions with Fine Gael yesterday about the prospects of changing Standing Orders to facilitate smaller groupings in the Dail.
Among the certainties for the 12 outstanding Cabinet posts to be awarded by Mr Ahern today are: Mr Ray Burke, Mr Dermot Ahern, Mr Noel Dempsey, Dr Michael Woods, Mr Micheal Martin, Mr John O'Donoghue, Mr Brian Cowen, Mr Charlie McCreevy, Mr David Andrews and Ms Sile de Valera. The main contenders for the two remaining Cabinet posts are Dr Jim McDaid, Mr Martin Cullen, Mr Brian Lenihan Mr Eamon O Cuiv, Mr Tom Kitt and Mr Eoin Ryan.
