Longford's Joe Flaherty loses out in bid for Seanad seat
Former Longford-Westmeath TD was eliminated after the 18th count
Former Longford-Westmeath TD Joe Flaherty has been unsuccessful in his bid to win a seat in the Seanad.
The Fianna Fáil representative had been optimistic that given his four and a half years in the Dáil he could secure a seat in the Oireachtas’ Upper House.
Mr Flaherty was nominated by Tánaiste Simon Harris in mid-December and he was one of 21 candidates who had been attempting to win one of five seats on the Seanad’s Cultural and Educational Panel.
However, Mr Flaherty was excluded following the 18th count and currently two candidates Cavan-Monaghan TD Pauline Tully and Wexford Fine Gael county councillor Cathal Byrne have been deemed elected.
The Seanad is composed of 60 members.
Eleven Senators are nominated by the Taoiseach, while 49 are elected in Seanad elections.