Green Party councillor Mark Dearey has been appointed to the Seanad to replace as Déirdre de Búrca.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen formally announced the appointment this afternoon.

Ms de Búrca’s resignation from the Upper House 10 days ago left a vacancy for a Taoiseach’s nominee.

Mr Dearey (46) is a businessman, vintner, and music promoter from Dundalk, Co Louth.

A member of the Green Party, he has been a member of Louth County Council since June 2009 and Dundalk Town Council since 2004. He contested the 2007 general election unsuccessfully.