The Dáil's youngest woman has formally taken her seat today just 4 months after the tragic death of her father. Helen McEntee paid tribute to her"hero" Dad, saying she went to his grave this morning to have a few words with him.

The 26-year-old was elected last month after a snap by-election called by the Fine Gael party.

Helen worked with her father, Shane, in Meath-East and in the Department of Agriculture where he was Minister of State until his tragic death just before Christmas last year.

"I dropped down to the graveyard this morning and had a few words. I think he called in to Michael Collins the morning of his first day, so I called into my hero" she said.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was on hand to welcome her to Leinster House saying he was "quite sure she will do justice to the tradition of the McEntee family, particularly of your late Dad, and will represent the people of East Meath with vigour and absolute conviction".

This afternoon Deputy McEntee was formally announced as having won the by-election and took her seat in the Dáil.