Longford's Joe Flaherty is thrilled to 'rebuild' in the Seanad

New Senator Joe Flaherty has said he is 'delighted' to have secured a Seanad seat on a 'good day' for Longford and he has vowed to work hard and target the next general election.

He became the third Oireachtas member from Longford when he was named as one of Taoiseach Micheál Martin's nominees as he joined Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy and Senator Paraic Brady.

Senator Flaherty, who was unsuccessful in November's General Election and the recent Seanad Éireann election, insisted it is a big boost to county Longford's prospects to have three national parliamentarians.

"I am very pleased, it's a good day for Longford, it's important we have the strongest possible Oireachtas representation.

"We have many challenges and potential obstacles in Longford, we remain one of the most socio-economically challenged communities in the country so the more and the strongest Oireachtas presence and representation we have the better for Longford," he added.

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The Lanesboro native stated he is grateful to his party leader Micheál Martin for standing by him.

"I am honoured that the Taoiseach has shown faith in me and stood by me following a General Election defeat and it's an opportunity now for me to rebuild and to look towards the next General Election whilst always doing the best possible job for county Longford," he said. "The main thing about the Seanad is you have the same access to ministers and departments as you do as a TD so in that respect there is little in the way of difference."

Senator Flaherty said the role in passing legislation and "within the three pillars of the Oireachtas is slightly different" but being in the Upper House is still a hugely important role.

"Crucially for me and more importantly for Longford it gives me the access to Government ministers and particularly with my party as the lead party in current Government it's important we have that access.

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"It's a huge opportunity for Longford to grow [with three Oireachtas members]," he added.

Senator Flaherty said 'significant strides' were made by the last government and it is now a case of building on that momentum.

"I was delighted to receive the call from the Taoiseach on Friday.

"It's something that I am honoured to do but it's something I also feel that I do it very well," he added.

The former Longford-Westmeath TD said he is determined to deliver.

"I want to do the best humanly possible for Longford and its people.

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"It's a great honour to be nominated to the Seanad, but more importantly it's a huge honour to be able to put forward the case for Longford and represent the people of Longford," he added.

Senator Flaherty stated there is a huge amount of work to do such as the regeneration of Longford town.

"The significant ask in the last government was the allocation of funding, we secured in the region of €15 million towards the regeneration of Longford town," he said. "I suppose it's incumbent now on the local authority and its councillors now to drive forward with those initiatives."