‘If I’m half the TD that Dad was I’ll be happy’

Helen McEntee became the youngest female TD in the Dáil yesterday after topping the poll in Meath East and taking her late father’s seat.

The 26-year-old said she was looking forward to the challenge of working in Leinster House after she received nearly the same number of votes as her father Shane.

Addressing supporters at the count centre in Ashbourne, she said it was a “bittersweet day”.

She secured 38.5% or 9,356 of first preference votes in the three-seater constituency. Her father received 41% of the vote in the 2005 by-election.

Amid celebrations at the count centre, Taoiseach Enda Kenny praised her victory.

“You can never argue with the people’s decision. This is not just a vote in respect of her late dad Shane McEntee. This is a vote for a formidable candidate in her own light.”

He said Ms McEntee had carried the vote in towns such as Ashbourne and Dunboyne in the south of Meath East where the McEntee name might not have held such clout.

He said the election brought to a conclusion a “very sad period” for her family, and that the new TD would not betray the spirit of her father.

Despite the collapse of the vote for his coalition partners in Labour, Mr Kenny said Government parties together had now won two by-elections and a presidential election since entering coalition together in 2011.

Ms McEntee was elected on the third count after she received transfers which brought her vote up to 11,423.

Addressing supporters from the count centre stage after the result, Ms McEntee thanked her family and campaign team.

“You had faith in Dad and I’m absolutely delighted that you have faith in me and that you have allowed me now to represent you going forward. If I’m half the TD that he was, I’ll be happy.”

She thanked the Fine Gael “machine”, many of whom had canvassed in sub-zero temperatures in recent days around Meath East.

She said was looking forward to the challenge of working in the Dáil as a TD, and already had 700 queries on her desk to look through.

“Obviously we’re here today because my darling Shane, Dad, is not. It’s a bittersweet day. He was an amazing person, TD, and a minister.”