The final count for the Seanad has been completed, with 20 women among 49 senators elected ­following a marathon counting process.

The last elected were independent candidate Eileen Flynn, Sinn Fein’s Nicole Ryan and Fianna Fail’s Fiona O’Loughlin and Diarmuid Wilson.

Sinn Féin candidate Conor Murphy has spoken of “achieving reunification” after his election to the Seanad. Mr Murphy leaves behind the job of Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland — and its £1 ...