MR Denis Naughten has become the youngest member of the Oireachtas after comfortably winning the Seanad by-election caused by the death of his father, Liam, who was also Cathoirleach of the Upper House.
Mr Naughten (23) defeated the Fianna Fail nominee, Mr John Brady, by 128 votes to 92 in yesterday's election.
He will take his seat today in the Seanad in the first session since the Christmas recess.
Mr Naughten confirmed his intention to seek a nomination to stand for Fine Gael in the four-seat constituency of Longford Roscommon in the forthcoming general election. His father died in a car accident in November.
All TDs and senators were entitled to vote in the by-election in a postal ballot.
