Nominated members of Seanad Éireann
Taoiseach's Nominees | |
---|---|
Seanad Éireann Constituency | |
Current constituency | |
Created | 1938 |
Seats | 11 |
Senators |
The composition of Seanad Éireann, one of the two houses of the Oireachtas (parliament) of Ireland, is set out in Article 18 of the Constitution of Ireland. This provides for 60 Senators, of whom 11 are to be nominated by the Taoiseach (prime minister). Additionally six senators are elected by university graduates, and 43 are elected by Oireachtas members and city and county councillors across 5 Vocational Panels.
These nominations allow the government to reach a majority in the Seanad, for smaller parties in coalition or supporting the government to achieve more significant Seanad representation, and for various Independent members to be represented. In 2011, Taoiseach Enda Kenny appointed a record seven independent members of the Seanad.
As the outgoing Seanad continues in session after the general election, it is usual for the outgoing Taoiseach to appoint Senators to fill the places of those who were elected to Dáil Éireann for the short period until the conclusion of the Seanad election.
Senators
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