A newly elected senator has said he thinks the Taoiseach is under pressure from Independents and Fianna Fáil over who he will appoint to the Seanad.

Senators are calling on Enda Kenny to make his appointments to the Upper House as soon as possible.

49 senators were voted in last month, but they cannot fully begin their work until the Taoiseach appoints his 11 members.

Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys (pictured) said he suspected the delay was due to Enda Kenny facing difficulties behind the scenes.

“I’m sure at this stage he’s well aware of who he’s going to appoint,” he said. “There are certainly lots of rumours circulating around Leinster House, but no confirmation as yet when those senator appointees will be announced.”

He suggested that “internal wranglings with the Independents, Fianna Fáil and internally within Fine Gael” were likely to be behind the delay.