Seanad Éireann. The concept of the second chamber of parliament in the constitutionalism of the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

The author addresses the concept underlying the formation of the second chamber of the Parliament of the Republic of Ireland, namely Seanad Éireann. They provide the historical context necessary to understand the development of the idea on which the country’s bicameralism is based. In the context of the current constitutional framework, the author pays particular attention to the globally unique method of shaping the composition of this chamber (involving various entities), which reflects the implementation of a model of functional representation. The author argues for the existence of a meritocratic element within this chamber and undertakes an assessment of the described concept, highlighting both its theoretical advantages and its practical shortcomings.