Longford's Joe Flaherty secures seat in the Seanad following Taoiseach's nomination

Longford's Joe Flaherty has secured a nomination from the Taoiseach for Seanad Éireann.

Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin announced his 11 nominees to Seanad Éireann in recent days and the Lanesboro native was among the cohort.

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The former Longford-Westmeath TD served in the Dáil for four and a half years before he lost his seat in the 2024 General Election.

Mr Flaherty subsequently decided to hit the canvas trail in a bid to secure a seat in Seanad Éireann but he was unsuccessful in the Upper House elections last month.

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The nomination from the Taoiseach was the last chance for Mr Flaherty to remain as an Oireachtas member and it brings to two the current number in the Dáil and Seanad for the next five years.