There will be a by-election next month to fill an empty seat in the Seanad.

October 10th has been chosen as the date to fill the seat left vacant after Deirdre Clune was elected as an MEP.

But only existing TDs and Senators have the right to vote, so the government is guaranteed a victory.

It simply has to choose who its candidate will be.

The last day for receiving nominations will be Thursday September 18th at 12pm.

However the news means it is now even more likely that October 10th will also be the date for the two Dáil by-elections to fill the seats of MEPs Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Brian Hayes.