26th Seanad

The 26th Seanad has been in office since 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.

26th Seanad
← 25th Seanad
Overview
Legislative body	Seanad Éireann
Jurisdiction	Ireland
Meeting place	Leinster House
Election	30–31 March 2020
Government	32nd government of Ireland (2020–2022) 33rd government of Ireland (2022–2024) 34th government of Ireland (2024– )
Members	60
Cathaoirleach	Jerry Buttimer (FG)
Leas-Chathaoirleach	Mark Daly (FF)
Leader of the Seanad	Lisa Chambers (FF)
Deputy leader of the Seanad	Regina Doherty (FG)
Leader of the Opposition	Rebecca Moynihan (Lab)
Sessions
1st 29 June 2020 – 31 July 2020 2nd 16 September 2020 – 16 July 2021 3rd 21 September 2021 – 14 July 2022 4th 14 September 2022 – 13 July 2023 5th 26 September 2023 – 17 July 2024 6th 24 September 2024 –

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.^[1] 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 to be a member of the Seanad.^[2]

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).^[3]

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.^[4]

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^[5][6]
• 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 – present)
• 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.^[7] 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.^[8]

On 21 August 2020, following his involvement in the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, Buttimer resigned as Leas-Cathaoirleach.^[9] 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.^[10]

On 16 December 2022, Daly resigned as 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.^[1] 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.^[11][12]

Composition of the 26th Seanad

Origin Party		Vocational panels					NUI	DU	Nominated	Total
		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 24th Seanad at the start and after the 2024 European Parliament election.

		June 2020	July 2024
	Fianna Fáil	20	21
	Fine Gael	16	16
	Sinn Féin	5	2
	Labour	5	4
	Green	4	5
	Independent	10	10
	Vacant	—	2
Total		60

Leadership

Government

On its first sitting of the 26th Seanad, the government had a majority of 40 to 20. As of July 2024^[update], the government's majority is 42 to 16, 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 (2020–2024)
• 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.

Panel	Name	Portrait	Party affiliation (Technical group)				Assumed office
			Start of Seanad term		Current
Administrative Panel	Garret Ahearn[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Martin Conway			Fine Gael			25 May 2011
	Mark Daly			Fianna Fáil			13 September 2007
	Rebecca Moynihan[+]			Labour			29 June 2020
	Niall Ó Donnghaile			Sinn Féin	Resigned in 2024		8 June 2016
	Mal O'Hara[+]		Elected in 2024 by-election			Green	8 April 2024
	Fiona O'Loughlin[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Diarmuid Wilson			Fianna Fáil			12 September 2002
Agricultural Panel	Niall Blaney[+]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Victor Boyhan			Independent			8 June 2016
	Lynn Boylan[+]			Sinn Féin			29 June 2020
	Paddy Burke			Fine Gael			17 February 1993
	Maria Byrne		Elected in 2021 by-election			Fine Gael	21 April 2021[‡]
	Paul Daly			Fianna Fáil			8 June 2016
	Michael D'Arcy[#]			Fine Gael	Resigned in 2020		29 June 2020[‡]
	Pippa Hackett			Green			5 November 2019
	Annie Hoey[+]			Labour			29 June 2020
	Tim Lombard			Fine Gael			8 June 2016
	Eugene Murphy[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Denis O'Donovan			Fianna Fáil			13 September 2007[‡]
Cultural and Educational Panel	Malcolm Byrne[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Lisa Chambers[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Seán Kyne[#]			Fine Gael			20 February 2020
	John McGahon[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Fintan Warfield			Sinn Féin			8 June 2016
Industrial and Commercial Panel	Catherine Ardagh			Fianna Fáil			8 June 2016
	Frances Black			Independent (Civil Engagement Group)			8 June 2016
	Micheál Carrigy[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Ollie Crowe[+]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Aidan Davitt			Fianna Fáil			8 June 2016
	Gerry Horkan		Elected in 2021 by-election			Fianna Fáil	21 April 2021[‡]
	Elisha McCallion[+]			Sinn Féin	Resigned in 2020		29 June 2020
	Sharon Keogan[+]			Independent			29 June 2020
	Mark Wall[+]			Labour			29 June 2020
	Barry Ward[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
Labour Panel	Jerry Buttimer			Fine Gael		Cathaoirleach	8 June 2016[‡]
	Pat Casey[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Shane Cassells[+][#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Gerard Craughwell			Independent			14 October 2014
	John Cummins[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Robbie Gallagher			Fianna Fáil			8 June 2016
	Paul Gavan			Sinn Féin			8 June 2016
	Joe O'Reilly			Fine Gael			8 June 2016[‡]
	Pauline O'Reilly[+]			Green			29 June 2020
	Ned O'Sullivan			Fianna Fáil			13 September 2007
	Marie Sherlock[+]			Labour			29 June 2020
National University of Ireland	Alice-Mary Higgins			Independent (Civil Engagement Group)			8 June 2016
	Michael McDowell			Independent			8 June 2016
	Rónán Mullen			Independent			13 September 2007
Dublin University	Ivana Bacik			Labour	Elected to the Dáil in 2021		13 September 2007
	Tom Clonan[+]		Elected in 2022 by-election			Independent	5 April 2022
	David Norris			Independent	Resigned in 2024		25 April 1987
	Lynn Ruane			Independent (Civil Engagement Group)			8 June 2016
Taoiseach's nominees	Nikki Bradley[+]		replaced Regina Doherty			Fine Gael	10 July 2024
	Lorraine Clifford-Lee			Fianna Fáil			8 June 2016
	Emer Currie[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Regina Doherty[#][+]			Fine Gael		Elected to the European Parliament in 2024	29 June 2020
	Aisling Dolan[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020
	Timmy Dooley[#]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020[‡]
	Mary Fitzpatrick[+]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Eileen Flynn[+]			Independent (Civil Engagement Group)			29 June 2020
	Róisín Garvey[+]			Green			29 June 2020
	Vincent P. Martin[+]			Green			29 June 2020
	Erin McGreehan[+]			Fianna Fáil			29 June 2020
	Mary Seery Kearney[+]			Fine Gael			29 June 2020

Changes

See also: 2021 Seanad by-elections, 2022 Dublin University by-election, and 2024 Seanad by-election

Date	Panel	Loss		Gain		Note
28 September 2020	Agricultural Panel		Fine Gael			Michael W. D'Arcy resigns from the Seanad[13][14][15]
29 October 2020	Industrial and Commercial Panel		Sinn Féin			Elisha McCallion resigns from the Seanad[16][17][18]
21 April 2021	Agricultural Panel				Fine Gael	Maria Byrne elected in a by-election[19]
21 April 2021	Industrial and Commercial Panel				Fianna Fáil	Gerry Horkan elected in a by-election[19]
9 July 2021	Dublin University		Labour			Ivana Bacik elected to the Dáil at a by-election[20][21]
31 March 2022	Dublin University				Independent	Tom Clonan elected in a by-election[22]
22 January 2024	Administrative Panel		Sinn Féin			Niall Ó Donnghaile resigns[23][24]
22 January 2024	Dublin University		Independent			David Norris resigns[25][26]
25 March 2024	Administrative Panel				Green	Mal O'Hara elected unopposed in a by-election[27]
10 July 2024	Nominated by the Taoiseach		Fine Gael			Regina Doherty resigns following her election to the European Parliament[28]
10 July 2024	Nominated by the Taoiseach				Fine Gael	Nikki Bradley nominated to fill vacancy[29][30]
16 July 2024	Agricultural Panel		Sinn Féin			Election of Lynn Boylan to the European Parliament[31]

References

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11. "Chathaoirleach – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad) – Vol. 291 No. 2". Oireachtas Debates. 16 December 2022.
12. Lehane, Mícheál (16 December 2022). "Buttimer elected Cathaoirleach of Seanad". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
13. 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.
14. "Resignation of Member – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 30 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
15. "Vacancy In Seanad Membership: Motion – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
16. 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.
17. "Resignation of Member – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
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19. "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.
20. "Casual Vacancy – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad) – Vol. 278 No. 1". Oireachtas Debates. 12 July 2021.
21. "Vacancy in Membership of Seanad Éireann: Motion – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
22. "Clonan wins Trinity College Seanad by-election". RTÉ News. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
23. 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.
24. "Resignation of Member". Oireachtas Debates. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
25. 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.
26. "Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad". Oireachtas Debates. 22 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
27. "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.
28. "Resignation of Member – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
29. "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.
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31. "Business of Seanad – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Oireachtas Debates. 17 July 2024.

External links

• "26th Seanad". Oireachtas Debates.
• "How the Seanad is Elected". Government of Ireland. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 21 January 2020.