# Senators

This year

2023

# security advice

Politicians told to avoid holding clinics alone and to consider getting a personal alarm

Gardaí have issued fresh security advice to Oireachtas members today.

14.2k

Jan 9th 2023, 4:32 PM

Last year

2022

# ireland's triple-lock

Motion on Ireland remaining a militarily neutral state won't be opposed by Government

Taoiseach says scrapping the triple-lock is not in the Programme for Government.

18.3k

Nov 23rd 2022, 6:30 AM

# Expenses

Five TDs and senators forced to refund almost €6,000 after audit of expense allowances

Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin and Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin were among those required to refund the value of unvouched expenses.

40.8k

Feb 16th 2022, 5:56 PM

All time

# Free Parking

Taoiseach disagrees with revoking free parking for former politicians at Leinster House

There have been calls to restore the Leinster House garden at the Kildare Street entrance, which is now a car park for members.

30.7k

Sep 29th 2021, 6:47 PM

# golfgate

Whip restored to three Fianna Fáil senators who attended Oireachtas golf dinner last August

The three senators apologized after attending the golf dinner in August.

20.3k

Jan 14th 2021, 12:03 AM

# Pay increase

Explainer: Why are politicians getting a 2% pay rise?

Many are angry that TDs and senators will see a pay rise next week.

39.6k

Sep 23rd 2020, 12:49 PM

# golf society

Micheál Martin removes party whip from three Fianna Fáil senators who attended golf event

The party whip has been removed from senators Paul Daly, Aidan Davitt and Niall Blaney.

42.3k

Aug 21st 2020, 1:39 PM

# lump sum payments

All TDs who lost their seats in the last election have paid back their 'parachute' payments

Termination payments made to TDs and senators amounted to €2m.

41.0k

Aug 8th 2020, 6:00 AM

# Seanad

High Court rejects case from Senators who wanted clarity on rules for Seanad sittings

The issue raised in a case against the State no longer remains, but the court said it “could arise again” in the future.

8.8k

Jun 29th 2020, 2:16 PM

# Law

Senators to begin High Court action to clarify if Seanad can legislate

Eleven seats in the Seanad are vacant as a new Taoiseach has not yet been elected.

10.8k

Jun 24th 2020, 9:28 AM

# Courts

Senators go to High Court to seek declaration that Seanad can sit without Taoiseach's appointees

There have been concerns that legislation could not be passed without a full complement of senators in place.

6.0k

Jun 16th 2020, 12:53 PM

# january deadline

Abortion legislation has passed the Dáil and it's now on to the Seanad, so what next?

The Seanad will now sit on Monday in order to get the legislation over the line by the Christmas deadline.

7.1k

Dec 6th 2018, 6:00 PM

# Matthew Whitaker

Three senators sue Trump over acting Attorney General

Many critics believe Matthew Whitaker was chosen to protect Donald Trump from the Russia collusion probe.

16.6k

Nov 19th 2018, 10:30 PM

# aras 2018

Independent TDs and senators fail to agree on presidential candidate

The group had a “robust debate” this evening.

14.3k

Sep 19th 2018, 8:50 PM

# Passports

Politicians made nearly 5,000 representations to the Passport Office on behalf of their constituents

Five TDs – including a minister – made over 100 representations to the Passport Office on behalf of individuals in the last two years.

23.0k

May 28th 2018, 12:05 AM

# Pay Up

Politicians who don't pay their bar tab will have it deducted from their salary

The Taoiseach encouraged the Oireachtas to investigate how to chase up politicians who fail to pay their bills.

18.6k

Apr 18th 2018, 8:00 PM

# Bonanza

€4.4 million paid out to staff of TDs who left Leinster House following the last election

199 former staff shared in the redundancy payouts, with eight ex-employees receiving packages worth more than €100,000 apiece.

18.8k

Jul 31st 2017, 7:47 AM

# renovations

Seanad to temporarily relocate to National Museum despite objections

The move, which is expected to cost around €1.5 million, is to accommodate renovations at Leinster House.

7.4k

Nov 11th 2016, 9:29 AM

# relocation relocation

Staff 'weeping' over plans to temporarily rehouse Seanad in wing of National Museum

Refurbishment of the Seanad is expected to take two years.

19.0k

Oct 18th 2016, 10:07 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should there be a dress code for TDs and Senators?

A number of TDs wore Repeal jumpers in the chamber last month.

30.5k

113

Oct 14th 2016, 10:43 AM

# Your Say

Poll: Should the Seanad have been scrapped?

The Taoiseach’s nominees to the upper house will be announced today.

24.2k

May 27th 2016, 9:24 AM

# Upper House

Averil Power loses out to Lynn Ruane in battle for Seanad seat

There’ll be plenty of familiar faces in the upper house.

72.0k

112

Apr 27th 2016, 8:55 PM

# Line-up

Here's who's running for the Seanad's university panels

The postal ballot will begin from 21 March.

27.1k

Mar 3rd 2016, 3:36 PM

# bank holi-dáil

That's a grand break, isn't it?

TDs will, of course, be up to HERE in constituency work over the next 11 days or so.

9.4k

May 29th 2015, 9:19 AM

# the scenic route

Where have you seen these political faces before?

They all have one place in common besides the Dáil.

19.1k

Mar 1st 2015, 6:15 PM

# making the leap

Out of the frying pan: Which Senators want to become TDs?

‘People criticise using the Seanad as a platform to the Dáil … but it makes sense.’

16.0k

Feb 22nd 2015, 1:25 PM

# to join or not to join

'Lucinda or Shane never knocked at my door ... they probably knew better'

So, are any Senators going to join the new alliance or party?

21.7k

Jan 21st 2015, 10:00 AM

# Garret the Good

Enda Kenny might appoint a senator to the Cabinet*

*If he’s re-elected.

8.6k

Dec 30th 2014, 6:30 AM

# Petition

Senators start campaign to have a referendum on the Water Services Bill

Here’s what would have to happen to get it underway.

15.0k

114

Dec 21st 2014, 1:41 PM

# All Talk

The Seanad debated the Water Services Bill well into the wee hours

Senators are now expected to return on Monday to continue the debate.

25.8k

Dec 20th 2014, 8:15 AM

# Close Call

'Sickened by the threats': Will Senators reject water charges?

“If the Seanad wants to be taken seriously it must do the right thing and not be merely a rubber stamp for the Government’s brutal austerity policies.”

13.1k

123

Dec 16th 2014, 4:00 PM

# never ever ever

This sacked NHL coach bowed out with a devastating Taylor Swift quote

And it got one woman fierce excited.

7.6k

Dec 10th 2014, 11:34 AM

# bare city

WATCH: David Norris condemns 'knickers shops and ignorant buildings' in Dublin city

“What I have seen has absolutely horrified me.”

33.1k

Nov 25th 2014, 10:39 PM

# parliamentary privilege

Gardaí say TDs are allowed to make 'unfounded, unsubstantiated and malicious allegations'

Should politicians be allowed to say what they want in the Dáil and Seanad?

8.6k

Nov 12th 2014, 6:31 AM

# Our survey says...

We asked every TD and Senator if they're paying their water charges. Here's what they said...

Most elected representatives intend to pay their water bills, but some won’t and some are undecided….

62.3k

Nov 3rd 2014, 9:05 AM

After senators agreed to recognise the state Palestine, will TDs follow suit?

Fianna Fáil are pushing for a Dáil vote on the issue.

6.4k

151

Oct 24th 2014, 4:48 PM

# house of cards

Fishing rods, fizzy drinks and Gulfstream Jets: Winners and losers - and one for you to decide - from the political week

You win some, you lose some — and with the Cabinet back, it’s been a busy week in both categories.

9.8k

Sep 6th 2014, 6:30 PM

TDs and Senators will meet the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors today

Expect some very pointed questions…

5.1k

Sep 3rd 2014, 7:00 AM

# Prostitution

READ: Former US President Jimmy Carter's appeal to TDs over prostitution

Short version: “Get a move on, guys.”

11.4k

Sep 1st 2014, 9:24 AM

# total recall

'A right pain in the bum': Most senators are coming back tomorrow... but some are on holidays

We contacted all members of the Seanad to find out if they’ll be coming back for debates on Gaza and Ukraine tomorrow.

14.1k

Jul 30th 2014, 12:35 PM