Seanad Bill 2020

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Seanad Éireann would be reformed by widening who can vote in Seanad elections and by creating a new Seanad Electoral Commission to run the process. More people would be added to the electorate, including Irish citizens living in Ireland, people in Northern Ireland who can claim Irish citizenship, Irish passport holders living abroad, and Irish citizens with certain third-level qualifications; members of the Dáil, outgoing Seanad and local authorities would still vote for the Oireachtas seats. The Seanad’s old panel and university election laws would be repealed and replaced with a single new system covering nominations, voting, counting, spending limits and by-elections. It matters because it would make Seanad elections more open, modern and independent, while also changing how candidates are nominated and how the chamber is filled.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to reform Seanad Éireann within the terms of the Constitution and for that purpose to expand the franchise at Seanad elections; to provide for the establishment of the Seanad Electoral Commission; to provide for the repeal of the Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947 and the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937, and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 20 February 2025