merrion street

The Minister for the Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, yesterday (21 January 2020) made Orders appointing the dates and times, as set out below, for the forthcoming general election of Members to Seanad Éireann.

Under Article 18.8 of the Constitution a general election for the Seanad must take place not later than 90 days after a dissolution of the Dáil. The 32^nd Dáil was dissolved by proclamation of the President on 14 January 2020 therefore the Seanad election must take place not later than 13 April 2020. The Seanad is comprised of 60 members, 11 of whom are nominated by An Taoiseach. The remaining 49 seats are contested in a general election – 43 seats by way of an election for panel members and 6 seats by way of an election for university members. For both the panel and university members, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is required to make an order within 7 days after the dissolution of the Dáil appointing dates and times for the successive stages in the election process.

Panel Members

• The period for nominations by Nominating Bodies will expire at noon on Monday 24 February 2020.
• The period for nominations by members of the Oireachtas will expire at noon on Monday 2 March 2020.
• The Seanad Returning Officer will sit for the completion of the panels on Monday 9 March 2020.
• The ballot papers will be issued to the electorate on Monday 16 March 2020.
• The poll will close at 11.00 a.m. on Monday 30 March 2020.

University Members

• The period for nominations in the university constituencies will expire on Friday 14 February 2020.
• The ballot papers will be issued to the electorate on Friday 28 February 2020.
• The poll will close at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday 31 March 2020.