Fianna Fáil Senator Pat Moylan has been elected unopposed as the Caoithearleach of the Seanad.
Mr Moylan, a native of Banagher Co. Offaly is a close associate of Tánaiste Brian Cowan.
Frances Fitzgerald is the new leader of Fine Gael in the Upper House, while new senator Alex White heads up the Labour group.
Pearse Doherty has become Sinn Féin’s first Senator, while former TD Dan Boyle will represent the Green Party.
The opening session this afternoon heard calls for Seanad reform, and strong criticism of media coverage of the house from Fianna Fáil's Donie Cassidy who singled out the RTÉ coverage of the elections to the house, describing it as 'appalling'.
