Sean Kyne has been appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
The outgoing government chief whip will fill the vacancy left by Frank Feighan following his election to the Dáil.
Kyne lost his Dail seat in the Galway West constituency in the general election.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says “Sean is an excellent local representative who has worked tirelessly for his constituents in Galway West.
He has never been afraid to take principled positions and he performed his duties as Chief Whip in the previous Dáil with exceptional tact and ability.
Sean will also continue in his role as Minister for the Gaeltacht.”
