FINE Gael's Joe McHugh's poll topping success in Donegal North East will see him and wife Olwyn Enright TD become the second husband and wife team to sit in Dáil Éireann.

It has been a long month apart for the couple who married in July 2005, as they both canvassed in their respective constituencies to capture as many votes as possible.

Joe (37) was the first TD elected in Donegal North East on Friday, taking back the Fine Gael seat after 11 years. Wife Olwyn was elected on the eighth count in Birr, County Offaly.

The couple will take their seats together in the new Dail which resits on June 14.

Speaking yesterday the incoming Deputy McHugh was looking forward to seeing his wife for the first time in over a month. The couple were to travel to Culdaff together where a major celebration was planned.

"I suppose there aren't many couples who can say they haven't had a row in a month, we haven't seen each other to have a row. It was usually after midnight every night before we even got a chance to talk to each other on the phone.

"I know we are not the first married couple to sit in the Dail. There was a couple called O'Higgins back around 40 years ago and Alexis Fitzgeralf and Mary Raferty in the '80s. Being a TD can be a lonely place so we will be great company for each other in the Dáil. We will be in the unique position of having each other as an ally and support," he said.

The couple first met when he was visiting the home of her father, former Fine Gael TD Tom Enright.

Both met again at the Senate count in 2002 where their relationship blossomed and they married three years later in Deputy Enright's home town of Birr.

She (33) retained her father's Dail seat in 2002 and was quickly promoted to education spokeswoman for the Opposition.

"We are no different to any other young couple in the country. We're working long hours, late into the night. There's a whole new type of society out there," he said.