Nominated by the Taoiseach
| 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 the appointment of Independent members to represent particular interests. A number of representatives from Northern Ireland have been selected over the years as Independent senators, and in 2016, Enda Kenny nominated Billy Lawless, a resident of Chicago, to represent the interest of the Irish living abroad.
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.
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