The newest Fine Gael TD has been welcomed into the Dail after replacing her late sister as TD for Longford-Westmeath.

Gabrielle McFadden says today is a bittersweet day, and while she is very proud she is also devastated at having lost her sister Nicky to motor neuron disease in March.

She won the by-election with 20,058 votes, comfortably beating her chief opponent Aengus O'Rourke of Fianna Fáil on 14,581.

There were nine candidates contesting the by-election, including five Independents.

Deputy McFadden walked in to Leinster House by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and was welcomed by her Fine Gael colleagues.

She says she is feeling very emotional.