Significant promotion imminent for Mayo Oireachtas member

Mayo Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers is set to be appointed Leader of An Seanad before Christmas, The Connaught Telegraph can confirm.

She will become the first elected representative from the county to hold the key role.

Castlebar Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke served as cathaoirleach of 'The Upper House' of the parliament for a number of years.

Senator Chambers will replace Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty in the post after Tanáiste Leo Varadkar takes over from outgoing Taoiseach Michaél Martin on December 17.

The Leader plays a similar role in the Seanad's procedure to that played by An Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann.

Previous Fianna Fáil holders of the role included Mary O'Rourke.

Speaking to The Connaught Telegraph, Senator Chambers said she is awaiting official confirmation of the appointment before making a statement.

However, she was praised by a number of speakers at today's Fianna Fáil selection convention in Castlebar on her imminent promotion.

There has been some speculation in recent weeks that Senator Chambers is strongly considering the prospect of running as her party's candidate in the 2024 European Parliament elections in the Midlands North West constituency.

She told The Connaught Telegraph it was a prospect she would not rule out in the future but it was unlikely to happen as early as 2024.