Mairia Cahill has been proposed by Labour Party leadership as a party candidate for the Seanad by-election.

Party leadership emailed members of the parliamentary party to propose Ms Cahill for the seat vacated by Jimmy Harte.

The email says: "Mairia Cahill is an excellent candidate for Seanad Éireann. She has joined our party and is committed to supporting our work inside and outside the Oireachtas. She is a person of depth and broad experience."

Ms Cahill has confirmed on Twitter that she will accept the nomination if passed by the parlimamentary party.

The Seanad by-election is due to be held next month, with the result to be known on 13 November.

As it is a Labour vacancy, Fine Gael is expected to support the Labour nomination.

Other candidates may be proposed by Labour members and the matter will be decided by the parliamentary party.