Government Seanad minority after by-election could mean budget delays

The government is facing a tougher challenge to pass the budget’s social welfare measures following the election of Gerard Craughwell to the Seanad.

The defeat of Fine Gael’s candidate John McNulty spared the party further embarrassment, after the controversy over his nomination to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma).

But with the loss of the seat formerly held by Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune, the opposition’s majority has now ...