Seanad Glaíteann
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Seanad Glaíteann | |
|---|---|
| 41st Seanad | |
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | Upper House of the Tionól |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 60 |
 | |
Political groups | Government (23)
Confidence and supply (1)
Opposition (20) Other (16)
|
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 Glaíteann (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 | |
Powers
Cathaoirleach
The chairperson, or presiding member, of Seanad Glaíteann 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 | |