Fianna Fáil's Mark Daly elected as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad

Mark Daly ran unopposed after his Fianna Fáil colleagues backed him in a private party vote last night.

Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly has been elected as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

Mr Daly ran unopposed after his Fianna Fáil colleagues backed him in a private party vote last night.

Mr Daly beat both his party colleagues, Diarmuid Wilson and Mary Fitzpatrick, to take the nomination, receiving the most support of the 19 Fianna Fáil senators.

The Kerry senator served as Leas-Cathaoirleach in the second half of the last term.

One party source said that Mr Daly’s relationships with US politicians made him a good pick for the position, with the Senator having served in the role previously.

“Mark has friendships and allegiances [in the US] built up over a long period of time,” they said.

Mr Daly was voted at the first sitting of the 27th Seanad on Wednesday afternoon.

The Cathaoirleach chairs meetings of the Seanad and represents it at international meetings. 

The position of Cathaoirleach comes with a salary of €135,000 attached.