# Seanad Éireann
This year
2023
# Seanad Éireann
Supreme Court rules that Seanad University panel elections are unconstitutional
Six members of Seanad Eireann are elected by graduates from specified universities in Ireland.
All time
Voices
Opinion: 'Irish politics is starting to feel more inclusive, more diverse'
Uruemu Adejinmi, who is of African descent, had hoped to run in the forthcoming Seanad by-election. She shares her thoughts on Irish politics.
Voices
Opinion: Our rotting Seanad won’t survive much longer, it's crying out for reform
UCC students Adam Hallissey and Charlie Power argue that the Seanad has become a place for failed TDs to wait for election, and it has the capacity for so much more.
# Seanad
High Court rejects case from Senators who wanted clarity on rules for Seanad sittings
The issue raised in a case against the State no longer remains, but the court said it “could arise again” in the future.
# Election
'Some validity' in criticism of Fine Gael Seanad candidates, says Varadkar
The party has 11 female candidates running for election in the Seanad.
# another election
Your Seanad election guide: How you can (or why you can't) vote for the next batch of senators
Here’s what you need to know.
# noteworthy
Minister Shane Ross asked for "advance all-clear" on expenses paid to him in €37,000 annual allowance
Minister Sean Canney was also asked to provide more information on €3,258 in “policy formulation” expenses that were spent in a string of restaurants around the country.
# noteworthy
€28 million in pension payments to former TDs, Senators and government ministers over the past two years
For the first time ever, the Department of Public Expenditure has refused access to individual pensions for former ministers and officeholders
# first dail
TDs and Senators to hold special joint session in Mansion House to mark 100 years since first Dáil
The first Dáil met at the Mansion House on 21 January 1919 following the 1918 General Election.
# Public Accounts Committee
Explainer: Why examining presidential expenses could be a problem
A number of people have argued that the move by the PAC is unconstitutional.
# seanad report
Irish schoolkids should have 'national anthem celebration' on eve of St Patrick's Day
A new report on the future of the national anthem was launched today.
# sole runner
'Forget ageism, it's the truth' - Norris claims 77-year-old Michael D running for second term would be ill-advised
Norris himself ran against Michael D Higgins in the 2011 presidential election.
# coercive control
TDs urged to pass new domestic violence bill making psychological abuse a crime
A major study found 31% of Irish women have experienced some form of psychological violence by a partner.
# on the menu
Leinster House restaurant could have been a temporary home for the Seanad
Immediate structural works are needed at Leinster House, beginning with the senator’s chamber.
# ttipping point
Fine Gael MEPs have been compared to fascists
Flanagan didn’t hold back in his criticism.
Voices
Column: Enda, Ireland won't crumble if emigrants are given a voice in elections
Some Irish emigrants can already vote in the election of representatives in Ireland… so long as they have the right degree, of course, write David Burns and Conor O’Neill.
# fraud claims
Video: Crown doubles down on St Vincent’s claims in the Seanad
St Vincents are calling on Senator Crown to pass on whatever information he has relating to alleged fraud at the institution.
Voices
Column: Politics in Ireland is eating itself
The Government has been burned twice in apparently straightforward attempts to reform the political system due to a misguided, blanket rejection of all politicians by the public, writes Colm Ó Broin.
# oireachtas retorts
‘Fannies’, ‘prats’ and ‘clowns’: 10 bizarre moments from the 24th Seanad
From the Justice Minister’s laughing fit, to Jim Walsh’s controversial comments on abortion. Say what you like about the chamber’s effectiveness; so far the current crop of senators have been anything but boring.
# Your Say
Poll: How will you vote in the Seanad referendum?
Do you want the Seanad saved or abolished?
Voices
Declan Ganley: "Fewer politicians" is not an argument for getting rid of Seanad
“The constitution did not make it a retirement home for failed politicians and a creche for aspiring ones – the political class did.”
Voices
Richard Bruton: Scrap the political creche and convalescent home that is the Seanad
Fine Gael’s Director of Elections for the Seanad Referendum on why he believes “undemocratic institution” has no place in modern Ireland.
Voices
Column: What exactly does a senator do in a day?
Professor John Crown, independent senator, answers the question with a timeline of a typical day in the life for him.
Voices
Column: Stunt politics and shenanigans in the Seanad
With some in the Seanad behaving like they at auditions for the Muppet Show, before the public gets to vote on its future, senators did little to encourage us to save their bacon, writes Paul Allen.
Voices
Column: Sexism in Leinster House is alive and well
Two male politicians showed how sexism can come in many forms – post-modern with an ironic twist and just plain old-fashioned, writes Maura Adshead.
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Abortion debate (again) and bankrupt contractors
What’s on Leinster House today? Well, as you asked…
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Final Dáil vote on abortion legislation
It’s going to be a long evening with the vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. Who will vote for and against – and potentially lose their party whip?
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Motion for mortgage holders and CAP, oh CAP
Fianna Fáil want limits on how often – and how – financial institutions can contact indebted mortgage holders while CAP reform debate is sure to rile the agricultural community.
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Postcodes and stiff financial regulations
Pat Rabbitte will be shooting the breeze with senators on the sustainability of the postal service and post offices around Ireland. Abortion is still up for debate in committees and will the financial regulator get some teeth?
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Home repossessions and passion in the Seanad
Remember David Norris’s impassioned speech on possible Seanad abolition last week? Guess what’s back on the cards today…
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Banking inquiry framework and human trafficking
With the Anglo Tapes still in the headlines, all eyes are on the final stage of legislation that might provide the means to hold an inquiry into Ireland’s banking fiasco. There is also the matter of a certain first vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill…
# Dáil Éireann
Oireachtas agenda: Dáil debates abortion as Seanad debates... Seanad
No major votes today though, as Thursday means Eamon Gilmore takes Leaders’ Questions
# Taoiseach
Enda Kenny: 'Genuine Seanad reform would be almost impossible to achieve'
The Taoiseach told senators today that abolishing the upper house is the biggest package of reform since the passing of the Constitution in 1937.
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Anglo director in the dock(lands), and SNA cuts
Lar Bradshaw – a former Anglo director and director of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority – is at the PAC today.
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Budget 2014 (yes, already) and Dáil scrapping Seanad?
The final Dáil vote on whether to proceed with a constitutional referendum will be held just after 10:30pm this evening.
# Leinster House
Oireachtas agenda: Dáil to hold its final votes on scrapping Seanad
The fate of one house will be in the fate of the other today, before debate begins on the divisive abortion legislation.
# Seanad
TDs will be forced to vote: should the Seanad be abolished or reformed?
Shane Ross has tabled an unusual motion – seeking a vote trying to delay Seanad abolition until reform is introduced first.
# Domhnall Ó Lubhlaí
Victims of alleged Gaeltacht abuser urged to come forward
The Government says it was aware of allegations against Coláiste na bhFíann founder Domhnall Ó Lubhlaí.
# Opinion Poll
52pc of voters would scrap Seanad, according to latest opinion poll
The Red C poll for Paddy Power also shows a four-point boost for Fine Gael in the last few weeks.
