Alan Kelly is the new leader of the Labour Party.

His opponent in the leadership contest Aodhán O Ríordáin has conceded.

Mr O Ríordáin has called Alan Kelly to congratulate him on his election as party leader.

He said it was time now to unite and work together for our great party and our country.

I've just called @alankellylabour to congratulate him on his election as leader of the @labour party.



I can’t thank my campaign team & my family enough for their support over the last few weeks.



Time now to unite and work together for our great party and our country.



🌹 pic.twitter.com/LhyJjpCofL — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) April 3, 2020

Mr Kelly replaces Brendan Howlin, who stepped down after the general election in February.

Counting began around 2pm today.

The early tallies suggested that Alan Kelly was on course to become the 13th Leader of the Labour Party.

Close to 2,000 party members voted in this election to decide who would replace Mr Howlin.

Brendan Howlin stepped down after the General Election in February when his party won just six Dáil seats.

Mr Kelly's campaign focused on returning Labour to what he calls its core values, with an emphasis also on health and housing.

The Tipperary TD vowed too that he would reorganise the party across country.

Mr Ó Ríordáin’s message concentrated on making the party relevant to young people and improving the conditions of low paid workers.

He said too that the party must change course away from being part of the establishment.

The votes were counted in Dublin by the party’s legal officer, with the candidates watching via teleconference.