Senators adapt and aspire to make notable impact in a term that signals opportunity for change.

The 60 members of the 27^th Seanad Éireann (the upper house of the Irish parliament) held their first sitting on 12 February 2025. Senators signed the roll of members and proceedings got underway in an atmosphere of energy and anticipation, especially among the 20 first-time Oireachtas members. While their 40 colleagues have previous experience of either Dáil or Seanad, these newly elected or nominated senators have entered the national parliament for the first time. 

TheCity interviewed newly elected Labour senator, Nessa Cosgrove, about her first impressions. 

Senator Cosgrove said: “I just think it’s a really lovely work environment. There’s a respect amongst everyone to each other. It’s great to see that. I’m very much privileged.” 

The senator is prepared for the adjustments to accompany her new routine. She is pleased to focus on the role and the opportunities to promote the priorities it will bring. 

“We want to prioritise rural and community development, and more regional priority to address the regional imbalance – in terms of infrastructure… even if you’re looking at that strategic rail review that was done, the north-west and west has been completely left out of it. 

“I think we need to put huge emphasis into ensuring that people stay in the workforce, within caring professions and I think, often in the Senate, you have a very good platform that you could speak about workers’ rights a lot,” said Senator Cosgrove. 

20 women have been elected among the 49 senatorial seats, a strong signal from the Seanad electorate. Seven of the 11 nominees to the Seanad are also women. This positive development follows widespread concerns over gender balance in the new cabinet, where 12 of 15 senior ministers are men and 17 of 23 junior ministers are men. 

Senator Cosgrove said she’s happy about the number of women in the Seanad: “There’s a lot of younger women there too, but there’s a nice blend of experience.” 

This number includes Fine Gael senator, Evanne Ní Chuilinn, one of the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees, a development which caused ripples in RTE following her surprise resignation as an established sports presenter. 

The Seanad sees further new developments – a first for the Social Democrats with Senator Patricia Stephenson taking up her seat and a further first for Aontú, as Senator Sarah O’Reilly commences in the upper house. 

Senator O’Reilly is clearly pleased with her recent election. “It was a historic moment. It was a first. It was a huge achievement for Aontú. 

“Rural interests and agricultural interests will be a huge topic for me. And, you know, rural is roads, regional development and planning. Planning is huge.  

“On all the campaigns that I ran in the last seven or eight months with all councillors – children with additional needs, services and therapies for them, diagnosis and that whole area – I would like to be a voice for them, for those parents and those children,” said Senator O’Reilly. 

The newly elected Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Fianna Fáil senator, Mark Daly – the only nominee for the chair, was busy as first meetings got underway. The issues for debate over the term ahead reflect major domestic challenges including housing, climate, sustainability, Irish unity, and resources to support disability and hospital care. 

Senator O’Reilly said: “Bringing those issues up there. Getting them on the national stage, closer to the power that can make those decisions. It’s a huge honour for me, but with the huge honour comes huge responsibility.” 

A key conversation to surface is the diversity of community and background in Ireland today.  

Belfast woman Patricia Stephenson is the Social Democrats’ first senator. In her maiden speech, she stressed the need for greater cooperation between communities on both parts of the island. “I am a Belfast woman living in the southeast. It is incredibly important to me to be a voice for people across this island, when we think about the future of the island and how we can work together in communities from different backgrounds, and make sure people are taken into account in that space.” 

Election to the Senate differs to the Dáil, with 43 of the seats filled from five vocational panels. Six are elected by graduates of two university constituencies and the remaining 11 are nominated by the incoming Taoiseach. With the rotating Taoiseach back again between the leaders of the largest government parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, Mícheál Martin chose six out of the 11, with Simon Harris choosing the remaining five. 

The Official Report of the debates from the Seanad Éireann sessions are available on the Oireachtas website.