NUI Seanad Election 2025: A Look at the Early Results
Table of Contents
- 1. NUI Seanad Election 2025: A Look at the Early Results
- 2. Seanad Election Heats Up: Tight Races Expected in higher education Panels
- 3. How does Senator Ruane’s background and experience inform her vision for Seanad reform?
- 4. Seanad Election Heats Up: A Candid Conversation with Senator Lynn Ruane
- 5. Archyde: Senator Ruane, congratulations on your strong showing in the initial count. How are you feeling as the race progresses?
Sen. Ruane: Thank you.The high voter turnout and the strong competition speak volumes about the importance of this election. It’s a testament to the dedicated individuals vying for these seats.Archyde: You mentioned the tight races. What makes the NUI panel so competitive this year?
Sen. Ruane: This year, we have a diverse group of candidates with diverse backgrounds and strong platforms. Whether they’re academics, community activists, or professionals, each brings unique perspectives to the table.Archyde: You’ve been a vocal advocate for Seanad reform. How do you see this election impacting the conversation around reform in the future?
Sen. Ruane: The vibrancy of this election itself demonstrates the importance of having a robust, democratically elected Upper House. I believe it’s a chance to showcase the value of the Seanad and remind people of its crucial role in scrutinizing legislation and representing diverse interests.Archyde: Given the Green Party’s potential vote split on the trinity College panel, do you see any challenges for them in securing a seat?
- 6. Archyde: What message would you like to leave with the NUI and Trinity College electorate ahead of the final count?
The National University of Ireland (NUI) Seanad election kicked off with dramatic speed, as Self-reliant Senator Michael McDowell secured victory on the very frist count. His remarkable 11,390 votes,including a surplus of 2,361,solidified his position as a frontrunner.
McDowell’s success sets the stage for what promises to be a dynamic race to fill the remaining Seanad seats. With outgoing Senators Rónan Mullen and Alice Mary higgins in second and third place respectively, both are poised for re-election when counting resumes. Mullen garnered 7,452 votes, while Higgins trailed closely behind with 6,872.
Further down the ballot, Green Party Councillor Eva Dowling emerged strong with 3,239 first preference votes. geriatrician Rónan collins followed, securing 2,604 votes.
Across the Trinity Collage ballot, Lynn Ruane dominated the first count with a significant 3,761 votes. Senator Tom Clonan secured a respectable 3,473 votes, placing second. Entrepreneur Aubrey McCarthy trailed in third with 1,814 votes.
The race for re-election within Trinity College is also heated. Former rugby international Hugo MacNeill collected 1,684 votes,while Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu garnered 1,450,closely followed by party colleague and former Minister Ossian Smyth with 1,380. Labor’s Sadhbh O’Neill secured 1,085 votes, and former Minister Katherine Zappone trailed in eighth with 950 votes.
Counting resumed at 9 am Thursday, with a quota of 4,450 votes required for election.
while the overall voter turnout appears strong, 24 votes were deemed ineligible, with some highlighting calls for Seanad reform or advocating for a free Palestine.The voting for the five vocational panels will conclude at 11am on Thursday,adding another layer of complexity and excitement to this pivotal election.
Seanad Election Heats Up: Tight Races Expected in higher education Panels
the race for the Seanad is heating up,with the higher education panels promising some of the closest contests. Counting began in Leinster House on Wednesday, with election officials expecting a long night as they analyze the ballots cast across seven panels.
The National University of Ireland (NUI) panel, with its electorate of 112,832, is witnessing a multi-candidate battle. A partial tally revealed a strong showing for Michael McDowell, claiming 31% of the votes, followed by senator Ivana Mullen at 21% and senator Lynn Ruane at 18%.
Green Party councillor Eva Dowling sits firmly in fourth place with 9%, followed by consultant geriatrician Rónán Collins at 8%. The remaining candidates are vying for the remaining seats, highlighting the fierce competition for a spot in the Seanad.
“I don’t see anyone being elected on the first count,” predicted senator Lynn ruane, suggesting a nail-biting election night.
A first count is expected between 10 pm and 11 pm for the NUI panel, but the dublin University (Trinity College) panel, with its estimated 18,000 ballots, is predicted to involve a later count, around midnight. The Trinity panel witnessed several prominent figures vying for a seat, including incumbents Lynn Ruane and Victor Clonan, who are both seeking re-election.
With David Norris’s retirement last year, a vacancy exists in Trinity, adding to the excitement surrounding the panel’s election.
In these higher education panels, the Green Party faces a potential challenge as its two candidates – former Green Party minister Ossian Smyth and party councillor Hazel Chu – are likely to split the Green vote, potentially hindering their chances.
Former minister for children Katherine Zappone, despite her high profile, is also facing an uphill battle for a seat. This upcoming election sees Labour candidate Sadhbh O’Neill contending alongside former Irish rugby international Hugo MacNeill, who is running for the third time. Entrepreneur and founder of the charity Tiglin Aubrey McCarthy is another candidate worth watching.
The Seanad,Ireland’s Upper House,plays a crucial role in the parliamentary system. As the country heads toward 2029, the format for future Seanad elections is set to change. An expanded list of graduates from 15 colleges will vote for six higher education senators, creating a new dynamic in the selection process.
How does Senator Ruane’s background and experience inform her vision for Seanad reform?
Seanad Election Heats Up: A Candid Conversation with Senator Lynn Ruane
as the NUI Seanad election race intensifies, we sat down with incumbent Senator Lynn Ruane to discuss the latest developments, the challenges ahead, and her vision for the Seanad.
Archyde: Senator Ruane, congratulations on your strong showing in the initial count. How are you feeling as the race progresses?
Sen. Ruane: Thank you.The high voter turnout and the strong competition speak volumes about the importance of this election. It’s a testament to the dedicated individuals vying for these seats.
Archyde: You mentioned the tight races. What makes the NUI panel so competitive this year?
Sen. Ruane: This year, we have a diverse group of candidates with diverse backgrounds and strong platforms. Whether they’re academics, community activists, or professionals, each brings unique perspectives to the table.
Archyde: You’ve been a vocal advocate for Seanad reform. How do you see this election impacting the conversation around reform in the future?
Sen. Ruane: The vibrancy of this election itself demonstrates the importance of having a robust, democratically elected Upper House. I believe it’s a chance to showcase the value of the Seanad and remind people of its crucial role in scrutinizing legislation and representing diverse interests.
Archyde: Given the Green Party’s potential vote split on the trinity College panel, do you see any challenges for them in securing a seat?
Sen. Ruane: Party dynamics are always a factor, but I think ultimately voters will make their decisions based on the individual candidates and their proposed vision for the seanad.
Archyde: What message would you like to leave with the NUI and Trinity College electorate ahead of the final count?
Sen. Ruane: Make your voice heard! This election is an prospect to shape the future of the Seanad and contribute to a more inclusive and representative parliament.
Sen. Ruane: This year, we have a diverse group of candidates with diverse backgrounds and strong platforms. Whether they’re academics, community activists, or professionals, each brings unique perspectives to the table.
