Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber) and will quit his job at Stormont. He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs (members of the Irish parliament) and councillors.

Sinn Fein’s Conor Murphy is leaving his job as Stormont economy minister and Newry and Armagh Assembly member to switch to the upper house of the Irish parliament, the Seanad. Mr Murphy warned the Republic's government not to put its head in the sand about Irish reunification as his election to the Seanad was confirmed.

Conor Murphy is to leave his roles as Economy Minister and Newry & Armagh MLA after he was elected to the Seanad.

Sinn Fein Stormont minister Conor Murphy has secured a seat in the Seanad as the marathon counting process for the Irish parliament’s upper house edges closer to conclusion. Mr Murphy took one of the nine seats on the industrial and commercial vocational panel in a result confirmed close to 1am on Monday morning.