Ó Ríordáin 's bid for re-election to the Dáil in Dublin North-Central at the 2016 general election was unsuccessful . However , he remained as a caretaker Minister of State for New Communities , Culture , Equality and Drug Strategy during the prolonged talks on government formation that followed , and was nominated by Labour for election to Seanad Éireann . In April 2016 , shortly before this period elapsed , he was elected to the 25th Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel
prolonged talks on government formation
2016 Irish government formation
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin