With nine days to go in the General Election campaign to elect 173 TDs – the Ceann Comhairle(Seán Ó Fearghaíl) is automatically returned, arrangements have been confirmed for the Seanad Elections.
The Dáil is set to meet again on December 18th – the period between the election and then is likely to see talks on Government formation. On December 18th nominations can be made for the appointment of a Taoiseach and the new Taoiseach would then go on to appoint Ministers.
The Seanad is comprised of 60 Senators, 11 of whom are nominated directly by the incoming Taoiseach.
For 43 of the Senate seats nominations will close on December 18th for nominating bodies and on December 31st for nominations by members of the Oireachtas. Ballot papers for Election to the Seanad will be issued on January 15th. TDs, Senators and all County Councillors can vote in to elect these 43 Senators. This voting will close at 11.00am on Thursday January 30th.
Six Senate seats are elected by certain University Graduates at present – these close for nominations on December 6th and voting will close on January 29th. Legislation passed this year will come into effect for Seanad Elections after March 2025 that will allow all graduates of Designated Institutions of Higher Education in Ireland who are Irish citizens who hold a degree and who are aged 18 or over to vote to elect the 6 Senators representing the newly formed Higher Education Constituency.
