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Senators Denis O'Donovan (left) and David Norris shake hands at the first meeting of the 24th Seanad. Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

24th Seanad elects Fianna Fáil senator as Leas Chathaoirleach

Senator Denis O’Donovan was elected the Seanad’s Leas Chathaoirleach unopposed.

FIANNA FÁIL SENATOR DENIS O’Donovan has been elected unopposed to become Leas Chathaoirleach of the new Seanad.

Echoing comments made by his fellow senator David Norris on the first day of the 24th Seanad, O’Donovan said today that this Seanad would be under greater scrutiny than its predecessors and could be the last-ever session.

The government has pledged to hold a referendum on the abolition of the Seanad.

“Therefore,” he said, “it is now more important than ever, that this current Seanad demonstrates that it can contribute in a significant and meaningful way to the legislative process. We need to demonstrate that the Seanad can play a constructive role in helping to tackle some of the problems facing the country.”

O’Donovan, a Cork South West senator on the agricultural panel, thanked his fellow senators for electing him to the position and said he would “endeavour to repay”  their faith in him.

Former Leas Chathaoirleach Paddy Burke, a Fine Gael senator, was chosen last week as the 24th Seanad’s Cathaoirleach.

Read: ‘Father’ David Norris inspires Seanad maiden speeches >

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    Mute Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024
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    May 17th 2023, 3:39 PM

    Did it sink? Did man land on the moon? not saying either/or but the debates need to be had

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    May 17th 2023, 3:51 PM

    @Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024: It’s all a scam.

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    Mute Gerard Hayden
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    May 17th 2023, 3:57 PM

    @Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024: Is your argument watertight?

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    Mute SPQH
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    May 17th 2023, 4:24 PM

    @Real Chief Police Trump MAGA 2024: it’s safely docked in Atlantis.

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    Mute Joey Roche
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    May 17th 2023, 7:20 PM

    @Gerard Hayden: they’re just trying to break the ice

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    May 17th 2023, 6:43 PM

    This actually gets to me. Leave it alone. Let the souls rest.

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    Mute Colm O'Leary
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    May 17th 2023, 8:43 PM

    @Anna Carr: the souls are long gone along with the bodies.,

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    Mute Gavin Conran
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    May 17th 2023, 11:27 PM

    @Anna Carr: Do souls just rest for eternity at the location where the person died? Jesus that sounds depressing.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    May 17th 2023, 11:59 PM

    @Colm O’Leary: the sea doesn’t give up its dead if it doesn’t want to. Leave the dead to rest. Stop poking about where you don’t belong.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    May 18th 2023, 12:00 AM

    @Gavin Conran: that’s not what I meant. The seas hold their mysteries. Leave them be.

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    Mute Colm O'Leary
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    May 17th 2023, 8:46 PM

    I wonder if it could be linked up to a 3d headset so that you could walk through the ship?

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    Mute Gavin Conran
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    May 17th 2023, 11:28 PM

    @Colm O’Leary: No doubt we will see something along those lines in a few years .

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    Mute Pato
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    May 17th 2023, 4:32 PM

    Oh no. I have that sinking feeling…

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    May 17th 2023, 8:25 PM

    I know one thing city going sink Madrid to tonight beautiful football spurs fan just saying can’t deny, god bless the world

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