Newly-elected Waterford TDs to take their seats in Dáil Eireann for the first time

The four TDs who will represent Waterford in the 34th Dáil will officially take their seats when the new Dáil sits at Leinster House for the first time this Wednesday.

The result of the General Election, which took place on November 29, means there will be one face from the Waterford constituency when the first sitting begins while three TDs will be returning, having retained their seats.

It's less than three weeks since voters in the Deise elected David Cullinane (Sinn Fein), John Cummins (Fine Gael), Mary Butler (Fianna Fail) and Conor D McGuinness (Sinn Fein) to represent them over the next five years.

For the first time, Sinn Fein took two of the four seats in the Waterford constituency following the General Election.

The party's health spokesperson, David Cullinane topped the poll and was elected on the first count, having secured 11,936 first preference votes.

John Cummins of Fine Gael was elected having reached the quota following the ninth count while Fianna Fail's Mary Butler retained her seat after her re-election was confirmed on the tenth count.

Outgoing Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh was eliminated following the eighth count and the battle for the fourth and final seat was between Independent candidate Matt Shanahan and Conor D McGuinness of Sinn Fein.

In the end, it was McGuinness who secured the seat on the twelfth count - despite not having reached a quota.

He finished on 9,519 votes - almost 1,000 ahead of Matt Shanahan.

READ ALSO: Gardai in TV appeal to identify man who stole bag from customer at Waterford restaurant

The first sitting day of a new Dáil will be a very busy day - beginning with the official announcement, by the Clerk of the Dáil, of the 174 TDs who were elected in the General Election.

After this, the first order of business will be the selection of a Ceann Comhairle, or Chairperson of the Dáil.

Click above to watch live proceedings of the first day of the 34th Dáil.