List of addresses to Seanad Éireann

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Seanad Éireann, the upper House of the Oireachtas, has been addressed on occasion by invited non-members. Since 22 May 2001, the Seanad's standing orders allow its Committee on Procedure and Privilege (CPP) to approve the attendance of an Irish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in the house. [1] (Currently S.O.57; [2] originally S.O.52A, [1] and later S.O.56. [3] ) In July 2011, S.O.57 was extended to "representatives and persons in public and civic life". [4] Separately, the CPP can recommend inviting "Distinguished Persons" to address the house; since the late 1990s this has been extended, typically to EU officials. [5]

Senators have also been present alongside TDs at joint sessions of the Seanad and Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas: see list of addresses to the Oireachtas.

Date (link to text)SeanadSpeakerRoleCountry /
Institution		Notes
28 March 1996 (20th) James Dooge Member of the Institute of European Affairs IrelandFormer professor, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cathaoirleach.
29 October 1996 (20th) Neil Kinnock Commissioner for Transport European Commission (Santer)
19 November 1998 (21st) Jacques Santer President European Commission (Santer)
14 November 2001 (21st) David Byrne Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy European Commission (Prodi)
10 October 2002 (22nd) Pat Cox President European Parliament
13 November 2003 (22nd) Mary Banotti MEP for Dublin IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [6]
26 November 2003 (22nd) Joe McCartin MEP for Connacht–Ulster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [7]
27 November 2003 (22nd) Pat Cox President European Parliament Cox was invited as a Distinguished Person, rather than as an MEP under S.O.52A. [7]
27 November 2003 (22nd) Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP for Connacht–Ulster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [8]
27 November 2003 (22nd) Nuala Ahern MEP for Leinster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [8]
27 November 2003 (22nd) Seán Ó Neachtain MEP for Connacht–Ulster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [9]
11 December 2003 (22nd) Avril Doyle MEP for Leinster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [9]
11 December 2003 (22nd) Brian Crowley MEP for Munster IrelandInvited under S.O.52A [9]
3 March 2004 (22nd) John Hume MEP for Northern Ireland European Parliament
8 November 2006 (22nd) John Bruton Ambassador to the United States European Union Former Taoiseach
8 April 2008 (23rd) Hans-Gert Pöttering President European Parliament
12 July 2011 (24th) Jerzy Buzek President European Parliament
28 September 2011 (24th) Maurice Manning President of the Irish Human Rights Commission IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [10] Chair of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions; Chancellor of the National University of Ireland; Former Leader of the Seanad
24 November 2011 (24th) Mary Robinson President of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice [11] IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [11] Former Senator, President of Ireland, and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Address on "the importance of the Seanad in her career as a human rights activist".
3 July 2012 (24th) Drew Nelson Grand secretary Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Invited under S.O.57(2). [12]
8 November 2012 (24th) Christopher Pissarides Professor of Economics London School of Economics Address on the topic "Youth Unemployment and Public Policy". [13] Co-laureate of 2010 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
24 January 2013 (24th) Gay Mitchell MEP for Dublin IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2) [14]
29 January 2013 (24th) Mairead McGuinness MEP for East IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [14]
13 February 2013 (24th) Phil Prendergast MEP for South IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [15]
28 February 2013 (24th) Emer Costello MEP for Dublin IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [16]
25 April 2013 (24th) Pat The Cope Gallagher MEP for North-West IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [17]
30 April 2013 (24th) Seán Kelly MEP for South IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [18]
1 May 2013 (24th) Nessa Childers MEP for East IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [18]
2 May 2013 (24th) Marian Harkin MEP for North-West IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [18]
8 May 2013 (24th) Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science European Commission (Barroso II)
16 May 2013 (24th) Jim Higgins MEP for North-West IrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [19]
29 May 2013 (24th) Margareta Wahlström Special Representative and head of UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction United Nations Invited under S.O.57(2). [20]
25 September 2013 (24th) David Begg General Secretary Irish Congress of Trade Unions Invited under S.O.57(2). [21]
16 January 2014 (24th) Tom Arnold Chairperson Constitutional Convention Invited under S.O.57(2). [22]
12 June 2014 (24th) Anne Brasseur President Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Invited as a "Distinguished Person". [23]
19 June 2014 (24th) Catherine McGuinness Chairperson of the external assessment panelChildren's Rights Alliance report cardInvited under S.O.57(2). [24] Former Supreme Court justice and president of the Law Reform Commission. Address on "children's rights in Ireland".
23 June 2015 (24th) Phil Hogan Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission (Juncker) Invited as a "Distinguished Person". [25]
5 October 2016 (25th)Manus Cooney Advocate of amnesty for Irish illegal immigrants in the United States United StatesAddress instigated by Billy Lawless. Topic was "undocumented Irish and immigration reform". Invited under S.O.57(2). [26]
29 November 2016 (25th) Nicola Sturgeon First Minister Scottish Government Invited as a "Distinguished Person". [27]
21 March 2018 (25th) Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Sports broadcasterIrelandInvited under S.O.57(2). [28] The address, to mark Bliain na Gaeilge ("the Year of Irish") was mainly in Irish and partly in English. Responses from senators also mixed the two languages.
26 April 2018 (25th) Phil Hogan Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission (Juncker) Invited as a "Distinguished Person". [29]
8 November 2018 (25th) Deirdre Hargey Lord Mayor Belfast Invited under S.O.57(2). [30]
29 January 2019 (25th) John Horan President Gaelic Athletic Association Invited under S.O.57(2). [31] After Horan's initial address, Senators made comments and questions, with Horan giving a final speech in response.
22 September 2021 (26th) Colm Markey , Maria Walsh MEPs for Midlands–North-West IrelandInvited under S.O.57(1). Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Chris MacManus were invited but could not attend.
2 November 2021 (26th) Barry Andrews , Ciarán Cuffe, Clare Daly, Frances Fitzgerald MEPs for Dublin IrelandInvited under S.O.57(1).
18 November 2021 (26th) Micheál Martin Taoiseach IrelandInvited "notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders".
23 February 2022 (26th) Billy Kelleher , Grace O'Sullivan, Seán Kelly MEPs for South IrelandInvited under S.O.57(1). Deirdre Clune and Mick Wallace were invited but did not attend.
3 March 2022 (26th) Linda Ervine Irish language in Northern Ireland activist Turas Invited under S.O.57(2). To mark Seachtain na Gaeilge.
24 May 2022 (26th) Richard Neal Chairman of Congressional Friends of Ireland United States Invited as a "Distinguished Person".
14 June 2022 (26th) Lesia Vasylenko , Alyona Shkrum, Rostyslav Tistyk  [ uk ], Dmytro Natalukha Verkhovna Rada members Ukraine Invited as "Distinguished Persons". In solidarity after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
20 September 2022 (26th) Barry Andrews , Ciarán Cuffe, Frances Fitzgerald MEPs for Dublin IrelandInvited under S.O.57(1). Clare Daly sent apologies.
5 October 2022 (26th) John, Baron McFall Lord Speaker of the House of Lords United Kingdom Invited as a "Distinguished Person".
26 April 2023 (26th) Larry McCarthy President Gaelic Athletic Association Invited under S.O.57(2).
9 May 2023 (26th) Mairead McGuinness Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union European Commission (von der Leyen) Invited under S.O.57(2). Marking Europe Day
23 May 2023 (26th) Bertie Ahern Former Taoiseach IrelandInvited as a "Distinguished Person". Marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement signed by Ahern.
13 June 2023 (26th) Annita Demetriou President of the House of Representatives Cyprus Invited as a "Distinguished Person".
27 June 2023 (26th) Maura Healey Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts United States Invited as a "Distinguished Person".

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References

  1. 1 2 Seanad Éireann (May 2005). "Amendments to or Modifications in effect of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business" (MS Word) (in Ga and English). Oireachtas. p. 4. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Seanad Éireann (2011). "Members of the European Parliament: right of audience.". Standing Orders relative to Public Business (PDF) (in Ga and English). Oireachtas. p. 55. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. ↑ Seanad Éireann (2007). "Members of the European Parliament: right of audience.". Standing Orders relative to Public Business (PDF) (in Ga and English). Dublin: Oireachtas. p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Seanad debates Vol.209 No.10 p.5
  5. ↑ Committee of Procedure and Privilege, 22nd Seanad (2004). "5.8 (82) Senator Mary Henry MD". Public representatives (MS Word). Submissions to the Subcommittee on Seanad Reform. Vol. 5. Oireachtas. p. 186. Retrieved 24 September 2011. Our entitlement to ask distinguished speakers to address us is important too. This is particularly so with EU commissioners, members of other governments and so forth. We have used this facility with good effect, most recently with our members of the present European Convention. It may be necessary in the run up to the referendum on the European Convention to use this facility again.
  6. ↑ Seanad debates Vol.174 No.13 p.5
  7. 1 2 Seanad debates Vol.174 No.18 p.5
  8. 1 2 Seanad debates Vol.174 No.19 p.5
  9. 1 2 3 Seanad debates Vol.174 No.24 p.6
  10. ↑ Seanad debates Vol.201 No.5 p.4
  11. 1 2 Seanad debates Vol.211 No.10 p.5
  12. ↑ Seanad debates Vol. 215 No.14 p.8
  13. ↑ Seanad debates, 8 November 2012, p.8
  14. 1 2 Seanad debates, 23 January 2013, p.9
  15. ↑ Seanad debates, 12 February 2013, p.22
  16. ↑ Seanad debates, 27 February 2013, p.11
  17. ↑ Seanad debates, 24 April 2013, p.9
  18. 1 2 3 Seanad debates, 25 April 2013, p.9
  19. ↑ Seanad debates, 15 May 2013, p.10
  20. ↑ Seanad debates, 28 May 2013, p.20
  21. ↑ Seanad debates, 18 September 2013, p.23
  22. ↑ "Address by Mr. Tom Arnold: Motion". Seanad Éireann debates. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  23. ↑ Seanad debates, 5 June 2014, p.13
  24. ↑ "Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Catherine McGuinness: Motion". Seanad Éireann debates. Oireachtas. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Address by Commissioner Phil Hogan: Motion". Seanad Éireann debates. Oireachtas. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  26. ↑ "Address by Mr. Manus Cooney: Motion". Seanad debates (). KildareStreet.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Address to Seanad Éireann by Ms Nicola Sturgeon: Motion". Seanad Éireann Debates. Oireachtas. 10 November 2016. Vol. 248 No. 5 p.2. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  28. ↑ "Address by Mr. Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh: Motion". Seanad debates. Oireachtas. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  29. ↑ "Address by Commissioner Phil Hogan: Motion". Seanad debates. KildareStreet.com. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "Address to Seanad Éireann by Lord Mayor of Belfast: Motion". Seanad debates. KildareStreet.com. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Address by President of the Gaelic Athletic Association: Motion". Seanad debates. KildareStreet.com. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
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