Senator Dan Boyle of the Green Party is to become deputy leader of the new Seanad, it has been confirmed.
Senator Boyle said he was pleased to be appointed to this position as it allowed him to be involved in helping to order the business of the Seanad in ways that could prioritise various elements of the agreed Programme for Government.
"Being deputy leader also affords the opportunity of bringing the agreed level of reform of the Seanad, on which so much cross member agreement had been reached during the last Seanad," he said.
"I look forward to working with the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Donie Cassidy, in ensuring that the Seanad plays a vital role in progressing the legislative programme of the government, building on the work of the previous Seanad in meeting more frequently, and in working with Dáil Éireann to bring innovative changes."
Senator Boyle lost his seat in Cork South Central in the general election in May.
He is currently Green Party chief whip, spokesman on finance and social and family affairs, community, rural development and the islands. He was also a central figure in the Green Party's negotiations with Fianna Fáil on the formation of the Government.