The 23rd Seanad was in office from 2007 to 2011. An election to Seanad Éireann, the Senate of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), followed the 2007 general election to the 30th Dáil on 24 May. There are 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 were elected on five vocational panels by serving politicians; 6 were elected in two university constituencies; and 11 were nominated by the Taoiseach. Under the Constitution of Ireland, a general election for the Seanad was required within 90 days of the dissolution of the 29th Dáil on 30 April 2007. Polls closed on 24 July 2007, and the Taoiseach's nominees were announced by Bertie Ahern on 3 August 2007. The 23rd Seanad first met at Leinster House on 13 September 2007.[1] The term of the 23rd Seanad was from 13 September 2007 to 20 April 2011, remaining in session until the close of poll for the 24th Seanad.

23rd Seanad
22nd Seanad 24th Seanad
Overview
Legislative bodySeanad Éireann
JurisdictionIreland
Meeting placeLeinster House
Term13 September 2007 – 20 April 2011
Government
Members60
CathaoirleachPat Moylan
Leas-ChathaoirleachPaddy Burke
Leader of the
Seanad
Donie Cassidy
Sessions
1st13 September 2007 – 10 July 2008
2nd30 September 2008 – 15 July 2009
3rd23 September 2009 – 14 July 2010
4th29 September 2010 – 20 April 2011

Cathaoirleach

edit

Pat Moylan was elected as the new Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.[2]

Composition of the 23rd Seanad

edit

There are a total of 60 seats in the Seanad. There are 43 Senators elected by the Vocational panels, 6 elected by the Universities and 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach.

The following table shows the composition by party when the 23rd Seanad first met on 13 September 2007.

Origin
Party
Vocational panelsNUIDUNominatedTotal
AdminAgriCult & EducInd & CommLabour
Fianna Fáil4535500628
Fine Gael2413400014
Labour Party111120006
Green Party000000022
Progressive Democrats000000022
Sinn Féin010000001
Independent000003317
Total7115911331160

Effect of changes

edit
Party20071Nov. 20102Mar. 20113
Fianna Fáil282526
Fine Gael14156
Labour Party662
Green Party233
Sinn Féin100
Progressive Democrats200
Independent798
Vacant0215
Total60
Notes
  1. ^ The 2007 column refers to the state of parties when 23rd Seanad first met in 2007.
  2. ^ The November 2010 column refers to the state of parties after the election of Pearse Doherty to the Dáil.
  3. ^ The March 2011 column refers to the state of parties after the 2011 Dáil election.

Graphical representation

edit

This is a graphical comparison of party strengths in the 23rd Seanad in January 2011.

  • Note: This was not the official seating plan.

List of senators

edit
  • Note: The entries for Senators who were elected or appointed to fill vacancies are shown in italics
NamePanelPartyNotes
Mark DalyAdministrative Panel Fianna Fáil 
Paschal DonohoeAdministrative Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Camillus GlynnAdministrative Panel Fianna Fáil 
Tony KettAdministrative Panel Fianna FáilDied on 19 April 2009[4]
Nicky McFaddenAdministrative Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Brendan RyanAdministrative Panel LabourElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Diarmuid WilsonAdministrative Panel Fianna Fáil 
James CarrollAdministrative Panel Fianna FáilElected to Seanad on 26 November 2009, replacing Tony Kett[5]
Paul BradfordAgricultural Panel Fine Gael 
Paddy BurkeAgricultural Panel Fine GaelLeas-Chathaoirleach
Peter CallananAgricultural Panel Fianna FáilDied on 11 October 2009[6]
John CartyAgricultural Panel Fianna Fáil 
Pearse DohertyAgricultural Panel Sinn FéinElected to Dáil Éireann in a by-election on 26 November 2010[7]
Alan KellyAgricultural Panel LabourElected to the European Parliament on 7 June 2009[8]
Pat MoylanAgricultural Panel Fianna FáilCathaoirleach
Francis O'BrienAgricultural Panel Fianna Fáil 
John Paul PhelanAgricultural Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Eugene ReganAgricultural Panel Fine Gael 
Jim WalshAgricultural Panel Fianna FáilResigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Niall Ó BrolcháinAgricultural Panel GreenElected to Seanad in a by-election on 14 December 2009, replacing Alan Kelly[11]
Paschal MooneyAgricultural Panel Fianna FáilElected to Seanad in a by-election on 19 January 2010, replacing Peter Callanan[12]
Cecilia KeaveneyCultural and Educational Panel Fianna Fáil 
Labhrás Ó MurchúCultural and Educational Panel Fianna FáilResigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Ann OrmondeCultural and Educational Panel Fianna Fáil 
Liam TwomeyCultural and Educational Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Alex WhiteCultural and Educational Panel LabourElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Larry ButlerIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fianna FáilResigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 5 June 2010[13]
Paudie CoffeyIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Paul CoghlanIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fine Gael 
Dominic HanniganIndustrial and Commercial Panel LabourElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Marc MacSharryIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fianna Fáil 
Denis O'DonovanIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fianna FáilLost the Fianna Fáil party whip on 25 June 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 19 October 2010[14]
Joe O'ReillyIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Kieran PhelanIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fianna FáilDied on 26 May 2010[15]
Mary WhiteIndustrial and Commercial Panel Fianna Fáil 
Jerry ButtimerLabour Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Donie CassidyLabour Panel Fianna FáilLeader of the Seanad
Maurice CumminsLabour Panel Fine Gael 
Geraldine FeeneyLabour Panel Fianna Fáil 
Frances FitzgeraldLabour Panel Fine GaelElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
John HanafinLabour Panel Fianna FáilResigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Fidelma Healy EamesLabour Panel Fine Gael 
Terry LeydenLabour Panel Fianna Fáil 
Michael McCarthyLabour Panel LabourElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Ned O'SullivanLabour Panel Fianna Fáil 
Phil PrendergastLabour Panel Labour 
Rónán MullenNational University of Ireland Independent 
Joe O'TooleNational University of Ireland Independent 
Feargal QuinnNational University of Ireland Independent 
Ivana BacikDublin University IndependentJoined the Labour Party on 23 September 2009[16]
David NorrisDublin University Independent 
Shane RossDublin University IndependentElected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Dan BoyleNominated by the Taoiseach Green 
Martin BradyNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil 
Ivor CallelyNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna FáilResigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 5 June 2010[13]
Resigned from the Fianna Fáil party on 24 August 2010[17]
Ciarán CannonNominated by the Taoiseach Progressive DemocratsJoined Fine Gael on 24 March 2009[18]
Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Maria CorriganNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil 
Déirdre de BúrcaNominated by the Taoiseach GreenResigned from the Seanad on 12 February 2010[19]
John EllisNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil 
Eoghan HarrisNominated by the Taoiseach Independent 
Lisa McDonaldNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil 
Brian Ó DomhnaillNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil 
Fiona O'MalleyNominated by the Taoiseach Progressive DemocratsSat as an independent on dissolution of the Progressive Democrats in December 2009[20]
Mark DeareyNominated by the Taoiseach GreenAppointed on 23 February 2010, replacing Déirdre de Búrca[21]
Darragh O'BrienNominated by the Taoiseach Fianna FáilNominated on 4 March 2011 to fill vacancy[22]

Changes

edit

Fourteen senators were elected to the 31st Dáil at the general election on 25 February 2011.[3]

DatePanelLossGainNote
24 March 2009Nominated by the Taoiseach Progressive Democrats Fine GaelCiarán Cannon joins Fine Gael[18]
19 April 2009Administrative Panel Fianna Fáil Death of Tony Kett[4]
7 June 2009Agricultural Panel Labour Alan Kelly elected to the European Parliament[8]
23 September 2009Dublin University Independent LabourIvana Bacik takes Labour Party whip[16]
11 October 2009Agricultural Panel Fianna Fáil Death of Peter Callanan[6]
26 November 2009Administrative Panel  Fianna FáilJames Carroll declared elected without a by-election, replacing Tony Kett[5]
11 December 2009Nominated by the Taoiseach Progressive Democrats IndependentFiona O'Malley becomes an independent on dissolution of the Progressive Democrats[20]
14 December 2009Agricultural Panel  GreenNiall Ó Brolcháin elected in a by-election, replacing Alan Kelly[11]
19 January 2010Agricultural Panel  Fianna FáilPaschal Mooney elected in a by-election, replacing Peter Callanan[12]
12 February 2010Nominated by the Taoiseach Green Déirdre de Búrca resigns from the Seanad[19]
23 February 2010Nominated by the Taoiseach  GreenMark Dearey appointed, replacing Déirdre de Búrca[21]
26 May 2010Industrial and Commercial Panel Fianna Fáil Death of Kieran Phelan[15]
5 June 2010Industrial and Commercial Panel Fianna Fáil IndependentLarry Butler resigns the Fianna Fáil party whip[13]
5 June 2010Nominated by the Taoiseach Fianna Fáil IndependentIvor Callely resigns the Fianna Fáil party whip[13]
25 June 2010Industrial and Commercial Panel Fianna Fáil IndependentDenis O'Donovan loses the Fianna Fáil party whip[9]
7 July 2010Labour Panel Fianna Fáil IndependentJohn Hanafin resigns the Fianna Fáil party whip in opposition to Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill[9]
7 July 2010Agricultural Panel Fianna Fáil IndependentJim Walsh resigns the Fianna Fáil party whip in opposition to Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill[9]
7 July 2010Cultural and Educational Panel Fianna Fáil IndependentLabhrás Ó Murchú resigns the Fianna Fáil party whip in opposition to Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill[9]
24 August 2010Nominated by the Taoiseach  Ivor Callely resigns from the Fianna Fáil party after expenses controversy[17]
19 October 2010Industrial and Commercial Panel Independent Fianna FáilDenis O'Donovan rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party[14]
23 November 2010Agricultural Panel Independent Fianna FáilJim Walsh rejoins the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party[10]
23 November 2010Labour Panel Independent Fianna FáilJohn Hanafin rejoins the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party[10]
23 November 2010Cultural and Educational Panel Independent Fianna FáilLabhrás Ó Murchú rejoins Fianna Fáil parliamentary party[10]
26 November 2010Agricultural Panel Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty elected to the 30th Dáil in a by-election[7]
25 February 2011Administrative Panel Fine Gael Paschal Donohoe (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Administrative Panel Fine Gael Nicky McFadden (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Administrative Panel Labour Brendan Ryan (Lab) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Agricultural Panel Fine Gael John Paul Phelan (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Cultural and Educational Panel Fine Gael Liam Twomey (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Cultural and Educational Panel Labour Alex White (Lab) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Industrial and Commercial Panel Fine Gael Paudie Coffey (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Industrial and Commercial Panel Labour Dominic Hannigan (Lab) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Industrial and Commercial Panel Fine Gael Joe O'Reilly (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Labour Panel Fine Gael Jerry Buttimer (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Labour Panel Fine Gael Frances Fitzgerald (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Labour Panel Labour Michael McCarthy (Lab) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Dublin University Independent Shane Ross (Ind) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
25 February 2011Nominated by the Taoiseach Fine Gael Ciarán Cannon (FG) elected to the 31st Dáil[3]
4 March 2011Nominated by the Taoiseach  Fianna FáilDarragh O'Brien (FF) nominated to fill vacancy, replacing Ciarán Cannon[22]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Iris Oifigiúil" (PDF). 4 September 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Moylan elected as new Cathaoirleach". Breakingnews.ie. 13 September 2007. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Seanad Éireann debates, Volume 207, 8 March 2011: Election of Members to Dáil Éireann". Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 25 July 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Mr. Tony Kett". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Mr. James Carroll". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 6 May 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Mr. Peter Callanan". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Live updates: Donegal by-election count". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Mr. Alan Kelly". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "FF senators in row over Civil Partnership Bill". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 7 July 2010. Archived from the original on 10 July 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Cowen remains as FF leader after meeting". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 23 November 2010. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Mr. Niall Ó Brolcháin". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  12. ^ a b "Mooney re-elected to Seanad". The Irish Times. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  13. ^ a b c d "Ivor Callely resigns FF party whip". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 5 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Fianna Fáil boycott of RTÉ's 'Frontline' proposed". The Irish Times. 20 October 2010. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Senator Kieran Phelan dies suddenly". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
  16. ^ a b "Ms. Ivana Bacik". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Boyle urges Callely to resign from Seanád". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 25 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Cannon formally joins Fine Gael". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 24 March 2009. Archived from the original on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Déirdre de Búrca's statement of resignation". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  20. ^ a b "Ms. Fiona O'Malley". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  21. ^ a b "Green councillor nominated to Seanad". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 23 February 2010. Archived from the original on 26 February 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  22. ^ a b "Mr. Darragh O'Brien". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
edit