Seanad Éireann

Upper house or senate of the Oireachtas (legislature) in the Republic of Ireland. It has 60 members or senators, and its term of office is up to five years, concurrent with that of the Dáil (lower house of the Irish legislature). The Seanad has limited powers, being able only to delay bills; in the case of money bills, it can only refer a bill back to the Dáil. Although nominally a vocational chamber it tends to mirror the Dáil's political composition, making it even less powerful.

Of its 60 members, 43 are elected by a constituency of TDs (Teachta Dála; member of the Dáil), senators, and local councillors through the single transferable vote. These are elected from five vocational panels: agriculture, labour, language and culture, industry and commerce, and public administration. Six are elected by the graduates of two of the Republic of Ireland's universities and 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach (prime minister).