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Monday 27 March 2023 Dublin: 9°C

# 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.
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.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# aras 2018
Independent TDs and senators fail to agree on presidential candidate
The group had a “robust debate” this evening.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# Your Say
Poll: Should the Seanad have been scrapped?
The Taoiseach’s nominees to the upper house will be announced today.
# 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.
# Line-up
Here's who's running for the Seanad's university panels
The postal ballot will begin from 21 March.
# 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.
# the scenic route
Where have you seen these political faces before?
They all have one place in common besides the Dáil.
# 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.’
# 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?
# Garret the Good
Enda Kenny might appoint a senator to the Cabinet*
*If he’s re-elected.
# Petition
Senators start campaign to have a referendum on the Water Services Bill
Here’s what would have to happen to get it underway.
# 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.
# 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.”
# never ever ever
This sacked NHL coach bowed out with a devastating Taylor Swift quote
And it got one woman fierce excited.
# bare city
WATCH: David Norris condemns 'knickers shops and ignorant buildings' in Dublin city
“What I have seen has absolutely horrified me.”
# 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?
# 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….
After senators agreed to recognise the state Palestine, will TDs follow suit?
Fianna Fáil are pushing for a Dáil vote on the issue.
# 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.
TDs and Senators will meet the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors today
Expect some very pointed questions…
# Prostitution
READ: Former US President Jimmy Carter's appeal to TDs over prostitution
Short version: “Get a move on, guys.”
# 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.