Legal

Declaration that law governing Seanad elections is unconstitutional suspended for two years

Supreme Court is suspending its decision until May 2025, despite government calls for four year suspension

Around six of the 60 Seanad seats are voted in by graduates of Trinity College, UCC, NUI Galway, Maynooth University, UCC and UCD. Graduates of newer universities like UL, DCU and TU Dublin are excluded, as well as graduates of ITs. Picture: Brian Irwin

A declaration that the law governing the election of senators to the Seanad university panels is unconstitutional has been suspended for two years, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The seven-judge court said it was suspending its decision, issued in a judgment earlier this year, until May 31, 2025.

The move comes as a blow to the government, which had agitated for a four-year suspension because a it would provide a longer “cushion” and allow more ...