Taoiseach names former NI ombudsman as one of his Seanad nominees

A former Northern Ireland ombudsman, Dr Maurice Hayes, has been appointed as one of the Taoiseach's 11 nominees to the incoming Seanad. The first chairman of the Community Relations Council in the North was the only surprising name on Mr Ahern's list. A writer and commentator, Dr Hayes is a member of the senate of Queen's University and a director of Independent Newspapers plc.

The Taoiseach used a mix of geography and politics to influence the selection of most of his nominees. They include outgoing senator Dr Edward Haughey, chairman of Norbrook Laboratories and Norbrook Holdings, who was originally appointed by former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds. Dr Haughey was also a member of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation.

Ms Ann Leonard, a paediatric nurse based in Dublin, was an unsuccessful candidate in the recent general election. She is a daughter of the long-serving retired TD, Mr Jimmy Leonard.

Mr Enda Bonner, senior partner in an accountancy firm in Letterkenny, was beaten by the Independent TD, Mr Tom Kildea, in the recent general election in Donegal South West. He has been a member of the Fianna Fail national executive since 1991.

Mr Tom Fitzgerald, who surprisingly lost his seat in the Seanad elections, has also been appointed. He served as assistant whip to the Fianna Fail group in the outgoing Seanad and was the party's spokesman on the marine.

Another member of the Fianna Fail national executive and the Committee of 15, Mr Frank Chambers, has been selected. An auctioneer and farmer, he has been a member of Mayo County Council since 1976.

The former Fianna Fail TD, Dr Dermot Fitzpatrick - who, as Mr Ahern's running mate, lost his Dail seat in Dublin Central in 1992 - has also been appointed. He is an alderman on Dublin Corporation.

Four of the Taoiseach's 11 nominations were given to the Progressive Democrats in return for an agreement that the party would not contest the election. The four new PD senators include two defeated TDs, Ms Helen Keogh in Dun Laoghaire and Ms Mair in Quill in Cork North Central. The others are Mr John Dardis, a member of the outgoing Seanad, and Mr Jim Gibbons, an unsuccessful candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny in the last election.