RULES to expand the right to vote in Seanad elections must be in place by June 2025, the Supreme Court ruled, following a case taken by University of Limerick (UL) graduate Tomás Heneghan.
Mr Heneghan challenged the constitutionality of only allowing Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and National University of Ireland (NUI) graduates to vote in elections for the upper house.
In March, the Supreme Court found in the UL graduate’s favour, and now a date of May 31, 2025, has been set for the current rules to officially become unconstitutional.
It was decided by the Court that this “rare” course of action was required to uphold the rule of law and prevent a constitutional crisis.
Limerick graduate Tomás Heneghan said after the ruling: “For 44 years, 18 Irish governments have failed or refused to enact the necessary law to provide for the expansion of the Seanad franchise in line with the decision of the electorate in 1979.”
“In a world where we see democratic structures and engagement being shut down more and more every year, we have to say in Ireland that democracy matters, and we have to mean it in more than just our words, but in our actions too,” he said.
Sinéad Lucey, FLAC Managing Solicitor, said: “The deadline set by the Court aligns with the date by which the next Seanad election must be held – with the intention that the necessary reforms to voting laws are enacted before that election takes place.”
“It also ensures that any Seanad elections after May 2025 must involve an expanded franchise for the University Panel.”
