Mooney takes first Seanad seat

Veteran broadcaster Pascal Mooney has taken the first seat in the new Seanad.

The outgoing senator from Drumshanbo, County Leitrim passed the quota of 169 votes with ten to spare to take a seat on the cultural and educational panel.

The surplus is now being distributed and it is likely that he will be joined by Labhras O’Murchu of Fianna Fail, Brian Hayes of Fine Gael and Noel Coonan.

The battle for the fifth and last seat on the panel is raging between John Brazil and Ann Ormonde, both of Fianna Fail.

Full declarations will be given later this evening.