26th Seanad | |||||||||||||
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Overview | |||||||||||||
Legislative body | Seanad Éireann | ||||||||||||
Jurisdiction | Ireland | ||||||||||||
Meeting place | Leinster House | ||||||||||||
Election | 30–31 March 2020 | ||||||||||||
Government |
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Members | 60 | ||||||||||||
Cathaoirleach | Vacant | ||||||||||||
Leas-Chathaoirleach | Mark Daly (FF) | ||||||||||||
Leader of the Seanad | Lisa Chambers (FF) | ||||||||||||
Deputy leader of the Seanad | Seán Kyne (FG) | ||||||||||||
Leader of the Opposition | Rebecca Moynihan (Lab) | ||||||||||||
Sessions | |||||||||||||
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The 26th Seanad has been in office since June 2020. The 2020 Seanad election followed the 2020 general election to the 33rd Dáil on 8 February. The Constitution of Ireland required a general election for Seanad Éireann, the senate of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), to take place no later than ninety days after the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil on 14 January 2020. There are 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 were elected on five vocational panels by serving politicians, for which polling closed on 30 March 2020; 6 were elected in two university constituencies, for which polling closed on 31 March 2020; and 11 were nominated by the Taoiseach (Micheál Martin) on 27 June 2020. It will remain in office until the close of poll for the 27th Seanad, which is scheduled for 30 January 2025.
Of the 60 members, twenty-four (40%) are women, and thirty (50%) are first-time Senators. Five Senators (8%) are members of the LGBT+ community. 33 members (55%) of the 26th Seanad were unsuccessful candidates at the 2020 general election, 10 of those (17%) being outgoing TDs who failed to get re-elected. In total 41 members (68%) of the 26th Seanad had contested general elections in the past, while 15 (25%) were former TDs. Eileen Flynn is the first Irish Traveller woman to be a member of the Seanad.
Electoral system
There are 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 Senators are elected by vocational panels, six elected by the two university constituencies, and eleven are nominated by the Taoiseach. Three seats are elected by graduates of the four colleges of the National University of Ireland (University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway and Maynooth University) and three seats are elected by graduates of Dublin University (as Trinity College Dublin is the sole constituent college, this is often referred to as the Trinity College constituency).
Article 18.8 of the Constitution requires that an election for Seanad Éireann take place not later than 90 days after a dissolution of the Dáil. On 21 January, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy signed the orders for the Seanad election.
Timetable
- 24 February 2020: deadline for proposals for nominations to the vocational panels by nominating bodies (civic society groups)
- 2 March 2020: deadline for proposals for nominations to the vocational panels by Members of the Oireachtas (President of Ireland, TDs and Senators)
- 9 March 2020: Seanad Returning Officer completed the panels of candidates
- 16 March 2020: postal balloting began
- 30 March 2020, 11 a.m.: polling closed for the five special panels, counting of votes commences
- 31 March 2020, 11 a.m.: polling closed in the two university constituencies
- 27 June 2020: Taoiseach's nominees announced
Cathaoirleach
- Cathaoirleach
- Mark Daly (29 June 2020 – 16 December 2022)
- Jerry Buttimer (16 December 2022 – 3 December 2024)
- Vacant (since 3 December 2024)
- Leas-Cathaoirleach
- Jerry Buttimer (29 June 2020 – 21 August 2020)
- Joe O'Reilly (22 August 2020 – 16 December 2022)
- Mark Daly (16 December 2022 – present)
The coalition agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party saw a rotation between the role of Taoiseach between the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin served as Taoiseach from June 2020 to December 2022, with Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar serving as Taoiseach from that date, with Simon Harris succeeding as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach in April 2024. Similarly, the agreement provided that the position of Cathaoirleach in the Seanad would rotate between the parties.
On 29 June 2020, Mark Daly was proposed as Cathaoirleach by Lisa Chambers (FF) and seconded by Denis O'Donovan (FF). Niall Ó Donnghaile (SF) was proposed by Paul Gavan (SF) and seconded by Elisha McCallion (SF). Daly was elected by a vote of 46 to 6. On 7 July 2020, Jerry Buttimer (FG) was proposed as Leas-Cathaoirleach by Martin Conway (FG) and seconded by Diarmuid Wilson (FF). Fintan Warfield (SF) was proposed by Niall Ó Donnghaile (SF) and seconded by Lynn Boylan (SF). Buttimer was elected by a vote of 43 to 6.
On 21 August 2020, following his involvement in the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, Buttimer resigned as Leas-Cathaoirleach. On 18 September 2020, Joe O'Reilly (FG) was proposed as Leas-Cathaoirleach by Regina Doherty (FG) and seconded by John McGahon (FG). Fintan Warfield (SF) was proposed by Niall Ó Donnghaile (SF) and seconded by Elisha McCallion (SF). O'Reilly was elected to the position.
On 16 December 2022, Daly resigned as Cathaoirleach and O'Reilly resigned as Leas-Cathaoirleach. Jerry Buttimer was proposed by Regina Doherty and seconded by Diarmuid Wilson. Victor Boyhan (Ind) was proposed by Alice-Mary Higgins (Ind) and seconded by Tom Clonan (Ind). Buttimer was elected by a vote of 35 to 8. This was followed by the election of Mark Daly as Leas-Cathaoirleach. He was proposed by Lisa Chambers (FF) and seconded by Regina Doherty and elected unopposed.
Jerry Buttimer was elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election held on 29 November, leaving the office of Cathaoirleach vacant.
Composition of the 26th Seanad
OriginParty | Vocational panels | NUI | DU | Nominated | Total | ||||||
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Admin | Agri | Cult & Educ | Ind & Comm | Labour | |||||||
● | Fianna Fáil | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 20 | |
● | Fine Gael | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | |
Sinn Féin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
Labour Party | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | ||
● | Green Party | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
Independent | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | ||
Total | 7 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 60 |
Government parties are denoted with bullets (●)
Effect of changes
This table shows the political composition of the 26th Seanad at the start of its term and after the nomination of senators to fill vacancies after the 2024 general election.
June 2020 | Dec. 2024 | ||
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Fianna Fáil | 20 | 18 | |
Fine Gael | 16 | 12 | |
Sinn Féin | 5 | 2 | |
Labour | 5 | 2 | |
Green | 4 | 5 | |
Independent | 10 | 11 | |
Vacant | — | 10 | |
Total | 60 |
Leadership
Government
On its first sitting of the 26th Seanad, the government had a majority of 40 to 20. As of November 2024, the government's majority is 41 to 17, with two vacancies.
The political leadership of the Seanad rotated on 16 December 2022, the day before the rotation of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste. Outgoing Leader of the Seanad, Regina Doherty becoming Deputy Leader, and outgoing Deputy Leader Lisa Chambers becoming Leader. Outgoing Government Chief Whip of the Seanad, Senator Seán Kyne of Fine Gael also swapped positions with Seanad Government Deputy Chief Whip Senator Robbie Gallagher, who took over as Seanad Chief Whip. The leadership of the Green Party group in the Seanad also changed with Senator Pauline O'Reilly stepping down as group leader to be replaced by Senator Róisín Garvey.
Main article: Government of the 33rd Dáil- Leader of the Seanad
- Regina Doherty (27 June 2020 – 17 December 2022)
- Lisa Chambers (17 December 2022–present)
- Deputy leader of the Seanad
- Lisa Chambers (29 June 2020 – 17 December 2022)
- Regina Doherty (17 December 2022 – 26 June 2024)
- Seán Kyne (26 June 2024–present)
- Leader of the Green Party in the Seanad
- Pauline O'Reilly (until 16 December 2022)
- Róisín Garvey (16 December 2022–present)
Opposition
See also: Opposition Front Bench (Ireland)- Leader of Sinn Féin in the Seanad: Niall Ó Donnghaile (2020–2023)
- Leader of the Labour Party in the Seanad
- Ivana Bacik (27 June 2020 – 9 July 2021)
- Rebecca Moynihan (September 2021–present)
List of senators
+: New senator.
‡: Previously served as member of the Seanad non-consecutively to the current consecutive terms of office.
#: Member of the 32nd Dáil who was not re-elected at the 2020 general election.
Changes
See also: 2021 Seanad by-elections, 2022 Dublin University by-election, and 2024 Seanad by-electionDate | Panel | Loss | Gain | Note | ||
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28 September 2020 | Agricultural Panel | Fine Gael | Michael W. D'Arcy resigns from the Seanad | |||
29 October 2020 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Sinn Féin | Elisha McCallion resigns from the Seanad | |||
21 April 2021 | Agricultural Panel | Fine Gael | Maria Byrne elected in a by-election | |||
21 April 2021 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Fianna Fáil | Gerry Horkan elected in a by-election | |||
9 July 2021 | Dublin University | Labour | Ivana Bacik elected to the 33rd Dáil at a by-election | |||
31 March 2022 | Dublin University | Independent | Tom Clonan elected in a by-election | |||
22 January 2024 | Administrative Panel | Sinn Féin | Niall Ó Donnghaile resigns | |||
22 January 2024 | Dublin University | Independent | David Norris resigns | |||
25 March 2024 | Administrative Panel | Green | Mal O'Hara elected unopposed in a by-election | |||
10 July 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fine Gael | Regina Doherty resigns following her election to the European Parliament | |||
10 July 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fine Gael | Nikki Bradley nominated to fill vacancy | |||
16 July 2024 | Agricultural Panel | Sinn Féin | Election of Lynn Boylan to the European Parliament | |||
4 November 2024 | Agricultural Panel | Fianna Fáil | Independent | Eugene Murphy left Fianna Fáil to contest the 2024 Irish general election as an independent. | ||
29 November 2024 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Fianna Fáil | Catherine Ardagh elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Labour Panel | Fine Gael | Jerry Buttimer elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Cultural and Educational Panel | Fianna Fáil | Malcolm Byrne elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Fine Gael | Micheál Carrigy elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Labour Panel | Fine Gael | John Cummins elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fine Gael | Emer Currie elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fianna Fáil | Timmy Dooley elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fianna Fáil | Erin McGreehan elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Labour Panel | Labour | Marie Sherlock elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Labour | Mark Wall elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
29 November 2024 | Industrial and Commercial Panel | Fine Gael | Barry Ward elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | |||
10 December 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fine Gael | Alan Farrell nominated to fill a vacancy | |||
10 December 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fianna Fáil | Joe Flaherty nominated to fill a vacancy | |||
10 December 2024 | Nominated by the Taoiseach | Fianna Fáil | Anne Rabbitte nominated to fill a vacancy |
References
- ^ "Election of Cathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 291 No. 2. 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- Holland, Kitty. "Seanad nominees welcomed by National Women's Council". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Seanad elections - everything you need to know". RTÉ. 1 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- "Seanad Éireann General Election". Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. 22 January 2020. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- O'Halloran, Marie. "New FG Senator expected to be appointed for few weeks before Seanad election". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- "Seanad general election 2020". Oireachtas.ie. Houses of the Oireachtas. 6 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- "Election of Cathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 270 No. 1. 29 June 2020.
- "Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 270 No. 2. 7 July 2020.
- "Resignation of Leas-Chathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 271 No. 1. 10 September 2020.
- "Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 271 No. 2. 18 September 2020.
- "Election of Leas-Chathaoirleach". Seanad Debates – Vol. 291 No. 2. 16 December 2022.
- Lehane, Mícheál (16 December 2022). "Buttimer elected Cathaoirleach of Seanad". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- Taylor, Cliff (28 September 2020). "Former junior finance minister to head funds sector lobby group". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
- "Resignation of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 271 No. 6. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- "Vacancy In Seanad Membership: Motion". Seanad Debates – Vol. 273 No. 2. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- Kearney, Vincent (29 October 2020). "Three Sinn Féin members resign over Covid grants". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- "Resignation of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 272 No. 3. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- "Vacancy In Seanad Membership: Motion". Seanad Debates – Vol. 274 No. 3. 1 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- ^ "Byrne and Horkan elected to Seanad following by-election". RTÉ News. 21 April 2021. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- "Casual Vacancy". Seanad Debates – Vol. 278 No. 1. 12 July 2021.
- "Vacancy in Membership of Seanad Éireann: Motion". Seanad Debates – Vol. 280 No. 2. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
- "Clonan wins Trinity College Seanad by-election". RTÉ News. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
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- Murphy, David (21 December 2023). "Niall Ó Donnghaile resignation to trigger Seanad by-election". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- "Resignation of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 298 No. 3. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- "Casual Vacancy: Motion". Seanad Debates – Vol. 299 No. 8. 7 March 2024.
- Cunningham, Paul (22 January 2024). "Watch: David Norris delivers final Seanad speech". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- "An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business". Seanad Debates – Vol. 298 No. 3. 22 January 2024.
- "Resignation of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 298 No. 4. 23 January 2024.
- "Leader of Green Party in NI elected unopposed to Seanad". RTÉ News. 25 March 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- "Election of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 299 No. 11. 11 April 2024.
- "Resignation of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 302 No. 2. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- "Taoiseach Simon Harris appoints Nikki Bradley to Seanad Éireann". Government of Ireland (Press release). Department of the Taoiseach. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- "Nomination of Member". Seanad Debates – Vol. 302 No. 3. 11 July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
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- "Vacancy in Membership of Seanad Éireann: Motion". Seanad Debates – Vol. 303 No. 1. 2 October 2024.
- Loughlin, Elaine (4 November 2024). "Eugene Murphy leaves Fianna Fáil to run as independent in general election". irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
- ^ Mag Raollaigh, Joe (10 December 2024). "Three former TDs appointed to Seanad after losing seats". RTÉ News.
External links
- "26th Seanad". Oireachtas Debates.
- "How the Seanad is Elected". Government of Ireland. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 21 January 2020.
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