What the Seanad does
A Dáil Bill arrives in the Seanad at Second Stage; Senators can debate its principles, then examine its clauses and propose amendments.
- Debates Bills passed by the Dáil and proposes amendments.
- Can start non-money Bills itself, which then go to the Dáil.
- Questions Ministers, who attend the Seanad to take statements and answer questions.
- Holds hearings and public consultations through its committees.
- Brings a different range of voices into the Oireachtas, since Senators come from panels, universities and Taoiseach nominations.
How the Seanad is elected is covered in a separate guide. Its 60 members are 43 from vocational panels, six from university graduates and 11 nominated by the Taoiseach.How is the Seanad elected?.
What the Seanad can and cannot do
| Power | Dáil | Seanad |
|---|---|---|
| Forms and removes the Government | Yes | No |
| Passes ordinary Bills | Final say | Can delay by up to 90 days |
| Money Bills | Decides | Recommendations only, within 21 days |
| Elects the Taoiseach | Nominates the Taoiseach | No role |
| Approves Ministers | Yes | No |
| Starts Bills | Yes | Yes, but not money Bills |
Article 23 of the Constitution sets out the 90-day delay for ordinary Bills, and Article 21 covers money Bills. In practice the Government controls the timetable, and most Bills pass the Seanad with amendments the Dáil then accepts or rejects.How a Bill becomes law.
Should the Seanad be abolished or reformed?
In October 2013 a referendum proposed to abolish the Seanad. Voters rejected it, with roughly 52% voting No on a turnout of about 39%. The Government then faced pressure to reform the Seanad instead.
The main proposals concern who can vote. Only university graduates and a small electorate of politicians choose Senators, so most citizens have no direct say. A 2024 law merged the older university constituencies into one six-seat constituency, but wider reform of the Seanad remains unfinished.
TD or Senator: what is the difference?
TDs are elected directly by voters and can be Ministers. Senators are elected indirectly, or nominated, and at most two Senators can be in the Government at one time. TDs decide who leads the Government; Senators do not.TD vs Senator.
How are the 60 Senators chosen?
The Seanad is elected in three very different ways, shortly after each general election.
- elected from five vocational panels by TDs, Senators and councillors
- 43
- elected by graduates of NUI colleges and Trinity College Dublin
- 6
- nominated by the Taoiseach
- 11
| Represents | Examples of nominating bodies | |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural and Educational | Culture, language, education, law and medicine | Arts, language and professional bodies |
| Agricultural | Farming, fisheries and rural life | Farm organisations |
| Labour | Workers, organised or not | Trade unions |
| Industrial and Commercial | Business, banking, industry and professions | Business and employer groups |
| Administrative | Public administration and social services | Voluntary and community bodies |
What happens when a Bill reaches the Seanad?
Most Government Bills begin in the Dáil, then arrive in the Seanad at Second Stage. A Bill introduced in the Seanad starts at First Stage there, so it goes through all five stages in that House.
Second Stage
For a Bill sent by the Dáil, Senators debate its general principles. If it began in the Seanad, the earlier First Stage has already introduced it.
Committee Stage
The Bill is examined section by section, and Senators can propose amendments.
Report Stage
Senators consider the Bill again and can consider further amendments.
Final Stage
The House decides whether to pass the Bill. Seanad amendments to a Dáil Bill go back to the Dáil for agreement.