Seanad elections: Neither Fianna Fáil nor Fine Gael will control Upper House
University panel nominations close with 30 candidates for NUI panel and 16 for Trinity
If a minority government is the outcome of the election it would inevitably be in a minority position in the Seanad as well as the Dáil. Photograph: Alan Betson
If Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil stick by their commitments not to go into coalition, the incoming government will be in a minority in the Seanad.
Given the results of the local elections in 2014, neither Fine Gael nor Fianna Fáil is capable of gaining control of the Seanad even with the Taoiseach having the power to appoint 11 members of the House.