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1922 Seanad

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1922 Seanad
1925 Seanad→
Overview
Legislative bodySeanad Éireann
JurisdictionIrish Free State
Meeting placeLeinster House
Term6 December 1922 – 5 December 1925
Government
Members60
CathaoirleachLord Glenavy(Ind)
Leas-ChathaoirleachJames G. Douglas(Ind)

The1922 Seanadwas the part of theSeanad of the Irish Free State(1922–1936) in office from the establishment of the Seanad in 1922 to the1925 Seanad election.Elections to the Seanad, theSenateof theOireachtas(parliament of theIrish Free State), took place on a triennial basis, with senators elected in stages. The 1922 Seanad included 30 members nominated by thePresident of the Executive Counciland the 30 members elected by the Dáil. It was first constituted on 8 December 1922.

It sat as a second chamber to3rd Dáilelected at the1922 general electionand the4th Dáilelected at the1923 general election.The Seanad of the Irish Free State was not numbered after each election, with the whole period later considered the First Seanad.

Initial membership

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TheConstitution of the Irish Free Stateestablished the Oireachtas as abicamerallegislature consisting of a lower house, theDáil,and an upper house, the Senate or Seanad. The Seanad's raison d'être was the assurance during the 1921 negotiation of theAnglo-Irish Treatygiven byArthur Griffithtosouthern unionistsand the British government that unionists would have adequate representation in the new parliament to safeguard their interests.[1]TheThird Dáil,elected inelected in June 1922as a "provisional parliament" or "constituent assembly",approved the Constitution in September, and continued as the Dáil of the new Free State when the Constitution came into force on 6 December 1922. However, there was no pre-existing body which might be repurposed as the Seanad, so this had to be constructed from scratch.

The Constitution specified a 60-seat Seanad, with senators serving 12-year terms and divided into four cohorts with one cohort re-elected every three years.[2]For the initial 1922 Seanad, 30 were to be nominated by thePresident of the Executive Counciland the other 30 elected by the Dáil. The President's selections would provide the second and fourth cohorts, for re-election in 1928 and 1934; the Dáil's provided the first and third, for re-electionin 1925and 1931.[3]

To honour Griffith's 1921 commitment, the Constitution required that the President of the Executive Council in making his nominations should "have special regard to the providing of representation for groups or parties not then adequately represented in Dáil Éireann".[3][1]In October 1922, the provisional parliament passed aresolutionmoved byW. T. Cosgrave,who had succeeded Griffith as chairman of theProvisional Government,which stated that the President should "consult with representative persons and bodies, including the following:Chamber of commerce,theRoyal College of Physicians of Ireland,theRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland,thebenchersof the Honourable Society ofKing's Inns,Dublin, theIncorporated Law Society of Ireland,Councils of theCounty boroughsof the Irish Free State ".[1][4]Cosgrave announced his selection in the Dáil on 6 December 1922, immediately after his election as president had been ratified by theGovernor-General.[5]The 15 who would serve 12-year terms were selected by lot.[3]

The Dáil election was conducted on 7 December 1922 bysingle transferable voteas a single 30-member district.[6][7][8]The procedure to be used was specified in a Dáil resolution of 1 November and published inIris Oifigiúilon 7 November.[9][10]A candidate for election had to be nominated and seconded by a TD; many were nominated by Cosgrave on submission from various public bodies.[5][8][11]Nominations closed at midday on 7 December; ballots were distributed at 3 pm, the poll closed at 5pm, and counting began immediately.[6]At 8 pm, theCeann Comhairle,who was also thereturning officer,[9]announced the result would not be known for some time, and the Dáil was adjourned.[8]President Cosgrave had announced the assassination ofSeán Halesduring theIrish Civil War.[12]Eighty-one TDs voted;[7][13]none of theabstentionistTDs were eligible to vote or nominate candidates.[a]To facilitate transfer of fractions of votes, each initial vote's value was multiplied by 1000, giving a quota of 2,613.[6][7]Eighteen candidates were elected on the first count: one with four (4,000)first-preference votesand 17 others with three (3,000) each.[6][7]The report on the conduct of the election speculated that groups of three TDs had coordinated their votes to ensure a candidate exceeded the quota.[14]Candidates with equal numbers of first-preference votes were ranked by the number of second preferences and so on.[14]The remaining twelve Senators were elected in 34 subsequent counts.[6][7]Counting was completed after midnight,[6]the results were announced next afternoon,[13]and the Seanad first assembled on 11 December 1922.[15]

Of the sixty members of the first Senate, 36 wereCatholic,20 wereProtestant,3 wereQuakersand 1 wasJewish.It contained 7peers,adowagercountess (Ellen, Countess of Desart,who was Jewish), 5baronetsand severalknights.The New York Timesremarked that the first senate was "representative of all classes", though it has also been described as, "the most curious political grouping in the history of the Irish state".[16]

On 26 November 1924,Alice Stopford Greenpresented to the Seanad a vellum parchment signed by all but one[b]member of the 1922–1925 Seanad, in an ornate casket commissioned fromMia Cranwillbased onGallarus Oratory.[18][19]After the 1936abolition of the Seanad,the casket was donated to theRoyal Irish Academy.[18]

Party composition

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The following table shows the composition by party when the 1922 Seanad first met on 11 December 1922.

Party Seats
Cumann na nGaedheal 13
Labour 4
Farmers' Party 1
Independent 42
Total 60

List of senators

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Name Party Entered Office Term Notes
HenryBarniville Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 20th elected, after 6th count, with 2 first-preference votes
Thomas WestroppBennett Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 19th elected, after 2nd count, with 2 first-preference votes
Richard A.Butler Independent Elected in 1922 3 years 18th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
JohnCounihan Independent Elected in 1922 3 years 29th elected, after 35th count, with 2 first-preference votes
Peterde Loughry Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 21st elected, after 9th count, with 2 first-preference votes
CorneliusIrwin Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 22nd elected, after 9th count, with 2 first-preference votes
ThomasLinehan Farmers' Party Elected in 1922 3 years 16th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
JosephClayton Love Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 27th elected, after 35th count, with 2 first-preference votes
EdwardMacEvoy Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 25th elected, after 35th count, with 2 first-preference votes
EdwardMacLysaght Independent Elected in 1922 3 years 24th elected, after 26th count, with 2 first-preference votes
EamonnMansfield Independent Elected in 1922 3 years 23rd elected, after 15th count, with 2 first-preference votes.
Resigned on 12 December 1922[20]
GeorgeNesbitt Independent Elected in 1922 3 years 26th elected, after 35th count, with 1 first-preference vote
MichaelO'Dea Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 30th elected, after 35th count, with 2 first-preference votes
J. T.O'Farrell Labour Elected in 1922 3 years 17th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
JamesParkinson Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 3 years 28th elected, after 35th count, with 2 first-preference votes
WilliamBarrington Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 12th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
EileenCostello Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 8th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
James G.Douglas Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 3rd elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
MichaelDuffy Labour Elected in 1922 9 years 13th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
ThomasFarren Labour Elected in 1922 9 years 15th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
Alice StopfordGreen Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 1st elected, after 1st count, with 4 first-preference votes
Sir JohnGriffith Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 2nd elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
Patrick W.Kenny Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 9 years 11th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
James J.MacKean Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 9 years 7th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
JohnMacLoughlin Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 10th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
ThomasMacPartlin Labour Elected in 1922 9 years 14th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes.
Died on 20 October 1923[21]
WilliamMolloy Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 6th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
Maurice GeorgeMoore Independent Elected in 1922 9 years 5th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
BrianO'Rourke Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 9 years 4th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
WilliamO'Sullivan Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1922 9 years 9th elected, after 1st count, with 3 first-preference votes
John PhilipBagwell Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Henry GivensBurgess Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
LordGlenavy Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years Cathaoirleach
Sir NugentEverard Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Edmund W.Eyre Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Oliver St. JohnGogarty Cumann na nGaedheal Nominated in 1922 6 years
James PerryGoodbody Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
HenryGreer Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
BenjaminHaughton Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Earl ofWicklow Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
ArthurJackson Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
AndrewJameson Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Sir BryanMahon Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Marquessof Headfort Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
W. B.Yeats Independent Nominated in 1922 6 years
Earl ofMayo Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Countess ofDesart Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
James CharlesDowdall Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Sir ThomasEsmonde Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
MartinFitzgerald Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Earlof Granard Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
HenryGuinness Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Sir JohnKeane Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
JamesMoran Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Earlof Kerry Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Sir HoracePlunkett Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years Resigned on 28 November 1923[22]
Sir HutchesonPoë Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years Resigned on 9 December 1924[23]
GeorgeSigerson Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years Died on 17 February 1925[24]
Earl ofDunraven and Mount-Earl Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
Jennie WysePower Independent Nominated in 1922 12 years
WilliamCummins Labour Elected in 1923 Until 1925 election Elected to Seanad at a by-election on 21 February 1923, replacingEamonn Mansfield[25]
ThomasForan Labour Elected in 1923 Until 1925 election Elected to Seanad at a by-election on 28 November 1923, replacingThomas MacPartlin[26]
Samuel LombardBrown Independent Elected in 1923 Until 1925 election Elected to Seanad at a by-election on 12 December 1923, replacingSir Horace Plunkett[27]
DouglasHyde Independent Elected in 1925 Until 1925 election Elected to Seanad at a by-election on 4 February 1925, replacingSir Hutcheson Poë[28]
JohnO'Neill Cumann na nGaedheal Elected in 1925 Until 1925 election Elected to Seanad at a by-election on 5 March 1925, replacingGeorge Sigerson[29]

Changes

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Date Loss Gain Note
6 December 1922


Independent Lord Glenavyelected asCathaoirleach
12 December 1922


Independent Resignation ofEamonn Mansfield[20]
21 February 1923


Labour William Cumminselected at a by-election to replaceEamonn Mansfield[25]
20 October 1923


Labour Death ofThomas MacPartlin[21]
28 November 1923


Labour Thomas Foranelected at a by-election to replaceThomas MacPartlin[26]
28 November 1923


Independent Resignation ofSir Horace Plunkett[22]
12 December 1923


Independent Samuel Lombard Brownelected at a by-election to replaceSir Horace Plunkett[27]
9 December 1924


Independent Resignation ofSir Hutcheson Poë[23]
4 February 1925


Independent Douglas Hydeelected at a by-election to replaceSir Hutcheson Poë[28]
17 February 1925


Independent Death ofGeorge Sigerson[24]
5 March 1925


Cumann na nGaedheal John O'Neillelected at a by-election to replaceGeorge Sigerson[29]

Footnotes

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  1. ^Not having subscribed to theOath of Allegiance,they could not sign the roll, which was required by regulations 2 (nomination) and 11 (voting).[9][10]
  2. ^The exception was Eamonn Mansfield (resigned 1922). Signatories included Thomas MacPartlin (died 1923) and later Douglas Hyde and John O'Neill (elected in 1925).[17]

Sources

[edit]
  • Constitution of the Irish Free State
  • "1922 Seanad".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved14 November2009.
  • "Seanad Debates: 1922 Seanad".Oireachtas.Retrieved28 September2023.
  • Department of Local Government(February 1923).Report on the conduct of the first election to Seanad Éireann(PDF).Official publications. Vol. P.Pro 2/1923.Retrieved5 January2014.

References

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  1. ^abcMansergh, Nicholas(1934).The Irish Free State.Allen & Unwin.pp. 74–76.Retrieved7 April2015.
  2. ^Constitution of the Irish Free State, Articles 31, 32
  3. ^abcConstitution of the Irish Free State, Article 82
  4. ^"Nominations for the Senate; Motion by the President".Dáil Éireann debates.25 October 1922.Retrieved7 April2015.
  5. ^ab"President's nominees for Seanad".Houses of the Oireachtas. 6 December 1922.Retrieved15 February2013.
  6. ^abcdefDepartment of Local Government 1923, p.3
  7. ^abcde"Seanad Éireann election result sheet"(PDF).Oireachtas. December 1922.Retrieved23 December2013.
  8. ^abc"Elections to Seanad".Dáil Éireann debates.7 December 1922. pp. Vol. 2 No. 2 p.16 cc.38–40.Retrieved2 January2024.
  9. ^abcDepartment of Local Government 1923, pp.6–15
  10. ^ab"Election of the Seanad - Motions by the Minister for Local Government".Dáil Éireann debates.1 November 1922. p. Vol.1 No.27 p.21 cc.1969–2014.Retrieved5 January2014.
  11. ^Hayes, Michael (6 December 1922)."Nominations to Executive Council".Dáil Éireann debates.pp. Vol.2 No.1 p.9 c.28.Retrieved23 December2013.The Seanad election takes place to-morrow and the avalanche of candidates proposed by the President will mean a long count.
  12. ^"Assassination of Deputy Sean Hales, and wounding of Leas Cheann Comhairle".Dáil Éireann debates.7 December 1922. pp. Vol. 2 No. 2 p.15 c.38.Retrieved23 December2013.
  13. ^ab"Result of elections to Seanad".Dáil Éireann debates.8 December 1922. pp. Vol.2 No.3 p.3 cc.41–42.Retrieved23 December2013.
  14. ^abDepartment of Local Government 1923, p.4
  15. ^"Prelude".Seanad Éireann debates.11 December 1922. pp. Vol.1 No.1 p.1 c.1.Retrieved23 December2013.
  16. ^Article by Elaine Byrne,Irish Times,30 July 2008.
  17. ^"1920 - 29".Mná 100.Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Vellum roll, containing the signature of every member of the first Irish Seanad, presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas by Alice Stopford Green.Retrieved12 December2022.
  18. ^ab"Senate Casket".Royal Irish Academy.12 January 2016.Retrieved12 December2022.
  19. ^"Senator's Gift to the Seanad".Seanad Éireann (1922 Seanad) debates.Oireachtas. 26 November 1924.Retrieved12 December2022.
  20. ^ab"Mr. Edward Mansfield".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved14 November2009.
  21. ^ab"Mr. Thomas MacPartlin".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  22. ^ab"Sir Horace Plunkett".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  23. ^ab"Sir Hutcheson Poë".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  24. ^ab"Dr. George Sigerson".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  25. ^ab"Mr. William Cummins".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  26. ^ab"Mr. Thomas Foran".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  27. ^ab"Mr. Samuel Lombard Brown".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  28. ^ab"Dr. Douglas Hyde".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
  29. ^ab"Mr. John O'Neill".Oireachtas Members Database.Retrieved15 November2009.
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