The Fine Gael man elected for as a TD for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency for the first time in 2011, having failed in both 1992 and 2007.
Joe O’Reilly, a primary school teacher by profession, is also a former Senator, having been elected in 1989.
In the 23rd Seanad, he was the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
He became involved in politics when he was elected to Cavan County Council in 1985 but lost his seat in 1991. He was re-elected at the 1999 local elections for the Bailieborough area and again in 2004.
Mr O’Reilly was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2009 European Parliament election for the North-West constituency.