2022 University of Dublin by-election

A by-election will be held for the Seanad Éireann University of Dublin constituency in Ireland in early 2022.[1] The vacancy was caused by the election of Labour's Ivana Bacik to Dáil Éireann on 8 July 2021 at a by-election in Dublin Bay South.[2] On 10 November 2021, the Seanad passed a motion calling on the clerk of the Seanad to send notice to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the vacancy.[3] The minister is required to make the order for a by-election within six months of this notice.[4]

Election system

Every citizen of Ireland who is at least 18 years old and who has received a degree (other than an honorary degree) or obtained a scholarship from the University of Dublin is entitled to be registered as an elector.[5] The electorate of the university is approximately 70,000.[1][6] When a casual vacancy occurs it is filled by a by-election. The procedure at a by-election is the same as that at a general election of university members.[6] Candidates must be proposed and seconded by two registered electors, with the assent of eight other electors.[7] All votes are cast by postal ballot, and are counted using the single transferable vote.

Candidates

Sadhbh O'Neill, a former Trinity student politician, and now a professor at Dublin City University has confirmed that she will be a candidate.[8] Tom Clonan announced his intention to contest the election on 10 July,[9] and Hugo MacNeill, Gisèle Scanlon the Trinity College Dublin Graduate Students' Union President, and Social Democrats councillor Carly Bailey also have confirmed they will run. [10]

Hazel Chu, Green Party councillor and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, not herself a Trinity graduate, stated she was considering it, but would only do so with the backing of her party, which was divided when she last ran for the Seanad.[11] Bacik's former assistant and Labour Party member Ursula Quill is running.[12]

Sociology PhD researcher Ryan Alberto Ó Giobúin announced his intention to run on 21 September 2021.[12] Former diplomat Ray Bassett announced his intention on 1 November, placing emphasis on his aim of ensuring University seats remain independent.[13]

See also

References
  1. "Seanad byelection set to cost over €500k". The Irish Times. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  2. "Labour's Ivana Bacik elected in Dublin Bay South after ninth count". RTÉ News. 9 July 2021.
  3. "Vacancy in Membership of Seanad Éireann: Motion – Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad)". Houses of the Oireachtas. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  4. Section 13 (Seanad bye-election orders) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 (No. 30). 19 November 1937. Act of the Oireachtas. Irish Statute Book.
  5. Section 7 (Franchise) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 (No. 30). 19 November 1937. Act of the Oireachtas. Irish Statute Book.
  6. "How the Seanad is Elected". Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage . 21 January 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  7. Section 7 (Nomination of candidates) of the Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 (No. 30). 19 November 1937. Act of the Oireachtas. Irish Statute Book.
  8. "Seanad byelection set to cost over €500k". Irish Times. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  9. Tom Clonan [@TomClonan] (10 July 2021). "Sincerest Congrats to @ivanabacik on her election to Dáil Éireann. Ivana will be a great TD - like @geraldnash I intend to run in Senate TCD By-Election: 'Who could fill Ivana Bacik's seat in the Seanad following her election to Dáil?' (via @thejournal_ie)" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 July 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trinity-union-head-tipped-ivana-bacik-seanad-seat-2j6fsgb6n
  11. O'Halloran, Marie (2 August 2021). "Hazel Chu considers running in Trinity College Seanad by election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  12. Moreau, Emer (21 September 2021). "Two Trinity PhD Students Announces Seanad Bid". The University Times. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  13. Maguire, Mairead (1 November 2021). "Journalist and Ex-Diplomat Ray Bassett to Contest Seanad Bye Election". University Times. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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