Seanad Glaíteann

Seanad Glítteann
41st Seanad
Type
Type	Upper House of the Tionól
Leadership
Cathaoirleach	Úna Ní Muilleoir (SDs)
Structure
Seats	60
Political groups	Government (23)   Social Democrats (23) Confidence and supply (1)   Forward (1) Opposition (20)   Liberty (15)   Centre (4)   Nationals (1) Other (16)   Lairds Spiritual (10)   Independents (6)
Length of term	5 years
Elections
Last election	26 May 2016
Next election	26 May 2021
Meeting place
Seanad Chamber Carrowdun Palace, Spálgleann
Website
tionól/seanad

Seanad Glítteann (Senate of Caldia) is the upper house of the Tionól, which also comprises the Comhthionól Náisiúnta (the lower house). It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members senators (seanadóirí in Ghaillish, singular: seanadóir). Unlikethe Comhthionól, it is only partially directly elected. More than half of its members are chosen through various methods, typically rooted in appointment. Its powers are considerably more limited than those of the Comhthionól and it can only delay laws with which it disagrees, rather than veto them outright. It has been located, since its establishment, in Carrowdun Palace.

Composition

The Seanad has a total of sixty members, of which only twenty six are elected, with each county of Caldia electing one senator. Fifteen of the senators are directly appointed by the taoiseach and serve at his or her pleasure. The Leader of the Opposition can appoint three senators. Ten of the senators are known as the Lairds Spiritual. The nine bishops of the Church of Caldia and the Solarian Catholic Archbishop of Caldia all sit in the seanad. It uncommon for the bishops themselves to take their seats and instead send a representative in their place. The remaining six senators are known as the the Lairds Academia. There is a representative from Caldia's four ancient universities (the University of Spálgleann, the University of Garrafrauns, the University of Invertwinc, and Saint Adomnán's University) as well as the Roryian universities (King's University Clyte and Shanbally University), typically a former rector. The Lairds Spiritual and Academia all sit as independents.

Members of the 41st Seanad

Party/Group		Senators
	Social Democrats	23
	Liberty	15
	Centre	4
	Forward	1
	Nationals	1
	Lairds Spiritual	10
	Lairds Academia	6
Total		60

Cathaoirleach

The chairperson, or presiding member, of Seanad Glítteann is the Cathaoirleach (Ghaillish for "chairperson"). The Cathaoirleach is chosen from among the 25 elected seanadóirí but is expected to observe strict impartiality. Despite this, the government will usually try to select one of its own for the position, if its numbers allow. Unlike the Ceann Comhairle of the lower house, the Cathaoirleach stands for reelection. The Cathaoirleach votes as any member of the Seanad would. The current serving Cathaoirleach is Úna Ní Muilleoir of the Social Democrats.

Name		Period	Seanad
	Shannon O'Brien (Liberty)	26 May 2011 - 27 February 2019	40th, 41st
	Úna Ní Muilleoir (PSD)	27 February - present	41st