Seanad

THE late Mary Jackman, a former Fine Gael Senator and the first female chair of Limerick County Council, was remembered in the Seanad as as “a true person of decency and integrity”.

Former junior minister Mr Kelleher first ran for election to the Dáil in 1992, losing out by just 25 votes in Cork North Central, and instead taking a seat in the Seanad.

In theory, this can be done pretty fast but it’s also worth noting that the Seanad continues to sit for up to 90 days after an election is called, unlike the Dáil which is immediately dissolved.

Mr Lawless was originally from Galway but moved to Chicago in the 1990s, where he became a successful publican before being nominated to the Seanad in 2016.

The 30-year-old collapsed on March 19, 2022 while taking part in a cross party rugby match for Holyrood against Dail and Seanad XV at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin, and subsequently died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Therefore I feel the best decision for myself, my family and the party going forward is to resign from the Seanad and step back from public life,” he said.

The Seanad has already voted to approve the pact, the court also heard.

FINE Gael Councillor John Cummins will follow in the footsteps of his father Maurice, by representing Waterford in the Seanad.

Maree Ryan-O’Brien, founder of Aitheantas, said debates in the Dáil and Seanad “have caused huge distress, with severe implications for people’s mental health”.

Senator Lawless said he was really upset not to be present for the last sitting day of the 25th Seanad.

The fallout from the event is still ongoing and it has already seen Dara Calleary step down as Agriculture Minister while Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer has resigned as Leas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.

The potential removal of a judge is possible under Article 35.4 of the Constitution for “stated misbehaviour”, but this would have to be approved by both the Dáil and Seanad.

UCC students Adam Hallissey and Charlie Power argue that the Seanad has become a place for failed TDs to wait for election, and it has the capacity for so much more.

Should this be approved by the Dáil and Seanad, homes in Limerick city and county will be able to avail of funding from the Pyrite Remediation Scheme.

A BILL COMING before the Seanad on Wednesday aims to give staff in restaurants, bars and cafes a right to keep the tips they earn from customers.

In a formal response to the vote, the Foreign Ministry stated: “The Irish Senate (Seanad Éireann) have chosen to give their backing to the most extreme anti-Israel piece of legislation in Europe.

PSC scanners have been fitted to doors of Dáil and Seanad chamber, the Dáil bar and canteen.

Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield reintroduced the bill to the committee stage of the Seanad yesterday.

The Bill has raised tensions between Ireland and Israel; Israeli defence minister called on the country to close its embassy in Dublin in the wake of the Seanad voting for the Bill.

No more than two members can be selected from the Seanad main, and the Taoiseach main, Tánaiste main (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Finance must be members of the Dáil main.