Update - 1.45pm: Independent TD, Finian McGrath, says he is "not disappointed" about allegations of cronyism over Fine Gael's appointments to the Seanad.

Mr McGrath says Enda Kenny's picks for the Seanad are a matter for himself and have nothing to do with the Independents in Government.

However, the Independent Minister says the Independent Alliance have no connection to the appointments and are not concerned about how they are filled.

He said: "I doesn't disappoint me because I have seen it happen and there are some people that say that the Taoiseach was ensuring that supporters of his were looked after in relation to support in the past.

"But that's a Fine Gael decision, it's got nothing to do with the Independent Alliance."

Earlier: One of the country's newest Senators has rubbished claims of cronyism linked to his appointment to the Seanad.

A newspaper report yesterday suggested Billy Lawless was given the job by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in return for helping Mr Kenny's daughter, Aoibhinn, secure a J1 student job in the US.

Senator Lawless has lived and worked in Chicago for many years and says it is perfectly acceptable to help Irish students.

He said: "It was a ridiculous comment, so it was, Aoibhinn was probably lucky she came in as one of the first ones because we would have only a few positions anyway.

"And because I knew her, of course, why wouldn't you look after a friend's daughter if they are coming out."

He also said he still does not know if the taxpayer will foot the bill for his 7,000 mile round-trip to the Seanad.

Mr Lawless lives and works in Chicago, but he does not yet know how he will manage the travel bill.

He said: "I honestly don't know, I'll have to discuss that with the department first.

"I have to be here most of the time, of course, again I don’t have the details I'll be getting them this week and the logistics of how I am going to manage it."