Seanad Eireann

The Members of Seanad Éireann (Senate) are referred to as Senators. An Election to Seanad Éireann must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of Dáil Éireann. Seanad Éireann 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 Éireann does not recognise party affiliations. However, as the electorate for the panels is made up of the Members of the incoming Dáil, the outgoing Seanad, county councils and county borough councils, the composition of Seanad Éireann, including the Taoiseach's nominees, will tend to reflect party strengths in Dáil Éireann. In practice, Senators will divide into groups supporting and opposing Government business when voting on issues. The Constitution provides that not more than two Senators may be members of the Government and this provision has been exercised twice in the last 60 years.