Fianna Fáil has unveiled its newest TD - former Labour chairman Colm Keaveney.
The party has given unanimous approval his membership. He was accepted at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party.
The Galway-East TD is being given an immediate frontbench position around special needs embracing education, health, employment and mental health.
He has also confirmed he will not be running in European elections next year.
Deputy Keaveney has praised Fianna Fáil which he says did not engage in reckless politics.
Mr. Keaveney lost the Labour whip after voting against the government over cuts to respite care grants last winter and in June he resigned from the party completely.
FF Leader @MichealMartinTD introduces new FF Parliamentary Party member @Colm_Keaveney at Leinster House pic.twitter.com/IE6xipfVGh
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) December 3, 2013
The Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn, says he is disappointed by the decision of his former party colleague.
While the Justice Minister Alan Shatter described the move by Mr. Keaveney as "odd".
John Drennan, Political Editor at the Sunday Independent, spoke to The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk earlier.
