Seanad Eireann

The Members of Seanad Eireann (Senate) are referred to as Senators. An Election to Seanad Eireann must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of Dail Eireann. Seanad Eireann is composed of 60 Members as follows: 43 elected by five panels representing vocational interests namely, Culture and Education, Agriculture, Labour, Industry and Commerce and Public Administration 6 elected by the graduates of two universities: - three each by the National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin (Trinity College) 11 nominated by the Taoiseach In theory, Seanad Eireann does not recognise party affiliations. However, as the electorate for the panels is made up of the Members of the incoming Dail, the outgoing Seanad, county councils and county borough councils, the composition of Seanad Eireann, including the Taoiseachs nominees, will tend to reflect party strengths in Dail Eireann. In practice, Senators will divide into groups supporting and opposing Government business when vo...