Fianna Fáil says it didn't orchestrate a political stroke in its choice of candidates as part of the Taoiseach's appointments to the Seanad.

Enda Kenny offered Micheál Martin the possibility of naming three senators in his 11 nominations.

Deputy Martin selected Joan Freeman, the founder of Pieta House, Alzheimer's Ireland CEO Colette Kelleher, and businessman Pádraig Ó Céidigh.

Six former Fine Gael TDs were named among the Taoiseach's Seanad appointments yesterday.

TD Thomas Byrne, says Fianna Fáil's nominations weren't done with political opportunism in mind.

"Micheál decided not to take a political approach, but rather increase the diversity of voices in the Seanad."