A number of former TDs, shocked and disappointed at the loss of their seats, now view the Seanad as a lifeboat to remain in the Oireachtas with the hope, when the time comes, of a return to Day.

The phones of incumbent senators are busy as seatless politicians check the lay of the land and look to the success of a number of former TDs turned senators who are now back in the Lower House.

They understand Fianna FailIt is Malcolm Byrne And Timmy Dooley And Good GaelIt is Jerry Buttimer. Outgoing senators making their first appearance in the Dáil include Fianna Fáil’s Catherine Ardagh and Erin McGreehan, Michael Carrigy, John Cummins, Emer Currie and Barry Ward, as well as WorkIt’s Mark Wall.

Most former TDs and unelected senators contacted about their intentions declined to comment. Fine Gael’s Alan Farrell said his loss of seat was a “huge shock and disappointment”. I have not decided my future but I will make my position known as soon as possible.

Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey, who failed to contest the election in Clare, said she had not yet thought about it but would start thinking about it when she returned to Dublin. The party could win a few seats in the Seanad as part of rebuilding efforts, following its electoral decimation.

Politicians seeking an “internal panel” or appointment to the Oireachtas – they must have the support of four Oireachtas members among new TDs and outgoing senators – have already contacted their parties who make decisions about the candidates to be presented.

The parties were reluctant to comment, but Fianna Fáil sources confirmed requests for an internal panel were already coming in. There have been no discussions yet until the Dáil figures are finalised. However, decisions should be made over the next week.

Just 940 total voters elect 43 senators through a complex panel system. They include outgoing senators, new TDs and all local councilors, so success will depend on the number of councilors the parties have.

Applications close on December 31 for those seeking nominations from their colleagues in the Oireachtas. Those seeking applications from “external panels,” the professional bodies that nominate candidates, have until December 18. The deadline for nominations for university panels, elected by NUI and Trinity College graduates, is December 6.

Ballots for postal voting are delivered on January 15 and will be returned on January 30 at 11 a.m. at the latest, the date on which counting for the professional panels will begin. Voting for the university panel will close at 11 am on January 29 and the counting will cover these six seats.

In the meantime, Seoige seed said she wanted to take a break before deciding whether to stay in politics after a bruising maiden voyage to Galway West where she failed to make an impact despite receiving support from Fianna Fáil headquarters.

The 51-year-old rejected suggestions she had been parachuted in as a celebrity contestant.

“I completely reject that assumption because it’s simply not true,” she told the Galway West counting centre. “There is no parachute. And the celebrity thing is a label and it’s not nice because it makes someone look like they’re insubstantial. And I have a lot of substance and the Tánaiste himself said I was a serious candidate,” she said.

“I was nominated by the rank and file. I traveled around for a month and met the delegates at their homes. I went to the conference. I was chosen by the card-carrying members of Fianna Fáil to stand in this constituency,” she added.

She admitted her disappointment at a poor result where she polled less than 5 per cent of the first preference vote in Galway West, where 17 candidates fought for five seats.

It polled 2,929 first preferences although it was prepared by Fianna Fáil headquarters to target the seat vacated by long-serving Éamon Ó Cuív. His party colleague John Connolly, who polled 7,192 first preferences, won this seat when the alderman was first elected.

“I’m disappointed that it didn’t work out, but I’m very proud that I took the opportunity and made this trip,” Ms. Seoige said. “No one achieves anything in this life unless they leave their comfort zone, and that’s what I did.”

“The next step is a break for a few days… I’m tired. And I want to take a break,” she added.