Updated at 7.48 pm
FINE GAEL’S DEIRDRE CLUNE has become the first person to be elected to the 24th Seanad today, leaving a remaining 59 potential senators hoping to gain seats.
Clune was elected to the Culture and Education panel after her fellow Fine Gael candidate Bill Tormey was eliminated on the ninth count.
Later in the evening Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne and Labhrás Ó Murchú were also elected to the Culture and Education panel, shortly followed by Labour’s John Gilroy and Fine Gael’s Michael Mullins.
The Irish Times reports that the final results for agricultural, labour and industrial and commercial panels are expected by Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the result for the administrative panel is expected by Friday.
This could be the final Seanad election ever held – as both Labour and Fine Gael have expressed support for abolishing the lower house.
For updates on the latest senators to be elected follow @oireachtasnews on Twitter.
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