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TDS IN THE Dáil today applauded the election of one of their own to the presidency, something that hasn’t happened in more than 50 years.
Catherine Connolly, who was a TD for Galway West, won the Áras race last month, triggering a bye-election for her seat.
This hasn’t happened since 1973, when Erskine Childers went from TD to president.
As the Dáil resumed today, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy marked the feat.
It is the very first time that a sitting female TD has been elected to the presidency.
“On behalf of the House, I wish the president elect every success in her new role as Uachtarán,” Murphy said.
Connolly had been backed by the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Sinn Féin and the Labour Party.
She beat the Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys, winning 63% of the vote with a record number of first preferences.
Connolly will be the 10th President of Ireland.
Her inauguration will take place on Tuesday, 11 November at Dublin Castle, where Michael D Higgins will hand over the reins.
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