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

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

Composition of the 23rd Seanad

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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 panels NUI DU Nominated Total
Admin Agri Cult & Educ Ind & Comm Labour
Fianna Fáil 4 5 3 5 5 0 0 6 28
Fine Gael 2 4 1 3 4 0 0 0 14
Labour Party 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 0 6
Green Party 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Progressive Democrats 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
Sinn Féin 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Independent 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 7
Total 7 11 5 9 11 3 3 11 60

Effect of changes

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Party 20071 Nov. 20102 Mar. 20113
Fianna Fáil 28 25 26
Fine Gael 14 15 6
Labour Party 6 6 2
Green Party 2 3 3
Sinn Féin 1 0 0
Progressive Democrats 2 0 0
Independent 7 9 8
Vacant 0 2 15
Total 60
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

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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

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  • Note: The entries for Senators who were elected or appointed to fill vacancies are shown in italics
Name Panel Party Notes
Mark Daly Administrative Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Paschal Donohoe Administrative Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Camillus Glynn Administrative Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Tony Kett Administrative Panel   Fianna Fáil Died on 19 April 2009[4]
Nicky McFadden Administrative Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Brendan Ryan Administrative Panel   Labour Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Diarmuid Wilson Administrative Panel   Fianna Fáil  
James Carroll Administrative Panel   Fianna Fáil Elected to Seanad on 26 November 2009, replacing Tony Kett[5]
Paul Bradford Agricultural Panel   Fine Gael  
Paddy Burke Agricultural Panel   Fine Gael Leas-Chathaoirleach
Peter Callanan Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil Died on 11 October 2009[6]
John Carty Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Pearse Doherty Agricultural Panel   Sinn Féin Elected to Dáil Éireann in a by-election on 26 November 2010[7]
Alan Kelly Agricultural Panel   Labour Elected to the European Parliament on 7 June 2009[8]
Pat Moylan Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil Cathaoirleach
Francis O'Brien Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil  
John Paul Phelan Agricultural Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Eugene Regan Agricultural Panel   Fine Gael  
Jim Walsh Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil Resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Niall Ó Brolcháin Agricultural Panel   Green Elected to Seanad in a by-election on 14 December 2009, replacing Alan Kelly[11]
Paschal Mooney Agricultural Panel   Fianna Fáil Elected to Seanad in a by-election on 19 January 2010, replacing Peter Callanan[12]
Cecilia Keaveney Cultural and Educational Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Labhrás Ó Murchú Cultural and Educational Panel   Fianna Fáil Resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Ann Ormonde Cultural and Educational Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Liam Twomey Cultural and Educational Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Alex White Cultural and Educational Panel   Labour Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Larry Butler Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fianna Fáil Resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 5 June 2010[13]
Paudie Coffey Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Paul Coghlan Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fine Gael  
Dominic Hannigan Industrial and Commercial Panel   Labour Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Marc MacSharry Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Denis O'Donovan Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fianna Fáil Lost the Fianna Fáil party whip on 25 June 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 19 October 2010[14]
Joe O'Reilly Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Kieran Phelan Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fianna Fáil Died on 26 May 2010[15]
Mary White Industrial and Commercial Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Jerry Buttimer Labour Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Donie Cassidy Labour Panel   Fianna Fáil Leader of the Seanad
Maurice Cummins Labour Panel   Fine Gael  
Geraldine Feeney Labour Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Frances Fitzgerald Labour Panel   Fine Gael Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
John Hanafin Labour Panel   Fianna Fáil Resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 7 July 2010[9]
Rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010[10]
Fidelma Healy Eames Labour Panel   Fine Gael  
Terry Leyden Labour Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Michael McCarthy Labour Panel   Labour Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Ned O'Sullivan Labour Panel   Fianna Fáil  
Phil Prendergast Labour Panel   Labour  
Rónán Mullen National University of Ireland   Independent  
Joe O'Toole National University of Ireland   Independent  
Feargal Quinn National University of Ireland   Independent  
Ivana Bacik Dublin University   Independent Joined the Labour Party on 23 September 2009[16]
David Norris Dublin University   Independent  
Shane Ross Dublin University   Independent Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Dan Boyle Nominated by the Taoiseach   Green  
Martin Brady Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil  
Ivor Callely Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil Resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip on 5 June 2010[13]
Resigned from the Fianna Fáil party on 24 August 2010[17]
Ciarán Cannon Nominated by the Taoiseach   Progressive Democrats Joined Fine Gael on 24 March 2009[18]
Elected to Dáil at the 2011 general election[3]
Maria Corrigan Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil  
Déirdre de Búrca Nominated by the Taoiseach   Green Resigned from the Seanad on 12 February 2010[19]
John Ellis Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil  
Eoghan Harris Nominated by the Taoiseach   Independent  
Lisa McDonald Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil  
Brian Ó Domhnaill Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil  
Fiona O'Malley Nominated by the Taoiseach   Progressive Democrats Sat as an independent on dissolution of the Progressive Democrats in December 2009[20]
Mark Dearey Nominated by the Taoiseach   Green Appointed on 23 February 2010, replacing Déirdre de Búrca[21]
Darragh O'Brien Nominated by the Taoiseach   Fianna Fáil Nominated on 4 March 2011 to fill vacancy[22]

Changes

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

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

References

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  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.
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