Fine Gael has called for urgent reform of the Seanad election process after claiming some of the bodies nominating candidates were "virtually unknown and uncontactable".
Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar said although many of the nominating bodies are large trade unions or business organisations, most were not household names.
Mr Varadkar claimed that during a survey carried out by his constituency office, several groups were uncontactable either by telephone or registered letter.
He said: "Some of the Seanad nominating bodies are little more than a one-man band.
"Many, though genuine, have only a few hundred members. In fact, they have fewer members and less democratic legitimacy than most Residents' Associations or Sports Clubs in my Dublin West constituency. This is no way to elect a parliament," he said.
Broadcaster Gay Byrne's former radio producer tonight become the first candidate to be elected to the new Seanad as the counting of votes continued this evening.
Cllr Alex White of the Labour Party topped the poll in the Cultural and Education Panel with 161 votes.
A total of 149 candidates have put themselves forward for election to contest 49 seats. The remaining 11 vacancies, to make up the total of 60, will be filled by the Taoiseach, probably next week.