How the members of the Seanad are chosen
Articles 18 and 19 of the Constitution provide that the Seanad be composed of 60 members, 11 of whom are nominated by the Taoiseach and the other 49 members are elected as follows:
- 6 are elected by graduates of the National University of Ireland (3) and the University of Dublin (Trinity College) (3): the “University Members”.
- 43 are elected from identified in the Constitution: the “Panel Members”.
The following legislation sets out the details of how the University Members and the Panel Members are elected:
Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1947: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1947/en/act/pub/0042/index.html
Seanad Electoral (Panel Members) Act 1954: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1954/en/act/pub/0001/index.html
Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1937/en/act/pub/0030/index.html
Electoral Act 1997: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0025/index.html
Electoral (Amendment) Act 1998: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/act/pub/0004/index.html
Elections to the Seanad
The Constitution requires that an election to the Seanad must take place not later than 90 days after the Dáil is dissolved. (The Dáil election must take place not later than 30 days after it is dissolved.) It also requires that elections to the Seanad are to be held on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and by secret postal ballot. (The electoral system is the same as that used for Dáil, Presidential, European Parliament and local elections).
The Constitution requires that members of the Seanad must be Irish citizens and must be at least 21 years old.
The University Members
The maximum number of University Members is six. The Constitution contains a provision Article 18.4.2° which allows for laws to be passed enabling graduates of other universities or higher education institutions to be part of the electorate for these six members. No such laws have been passed.
The law on the election of the University Members provides that:
- Irish citizens who are at least 18 years old and who have a degree (other than an honorary degree) from the university in question are entitled to be on the electoral roll for the election of the University Members. The electoral roll is maintained and updated by the universities.
- Candidates for election need not be graduates of the university concerned or have any connection with it. They must, however, be nominated by two registered electors for the university. Eight other registered electors for the university must agree to the nomination.
- If a University Member dies, resigns or is disqualified, the vacancy is filled by a bye-election which is held in the same manner as the initial election.
The Panel Members
The 43 Panel Members are elected from the five panels identified in the Constitution. The law on the election of the Panel Members provides that they are elected by:
- members of the incoming Dáil,
- members of the outgoing Seanad and
- members of county councils and city councils.
Each of these electors has one vote on each panel.
The Constitution (Article 19) contains a provision which allows laws to be passed enabling the direct election of members of the Seanad by any functional or vocational group or association or council. No law has been passed to allow for this.
The Panels
The Constitution provides for five panels:
- National Language and Culture, Literature, Art, Education and such professional interests as may be defined by law for the purpose of this panel: this is generally known as the Cultural and Educational Panel;
- Agriculture and allied interests, and Fisheries: this is generally known as the Agricultural Panel;
- Labour, whether organised or unorganised: this is generally known as the Labour Panel;
- Industry and Commerce, including banking, finance, accountancy, engineering and architecture: this is generally known as the Industrial and Commercial Panel;
- Public Administration and social services, including voluntary social activities: this is generally known as the Administrative Panel.
The Constitution provides that at least five and not more than 11 members may be elected from each panel.
How candidates are nominated
The law on the election of the Panel Members sets out the process of nomination. There are two sub-panels for each panel: the Nominating Bodies sub-panel and the Oireachtas sub-panel.
Each Nominating Body has the right to nominate candidates for the relevant panel and the candidates nominated by the Nominating Bodies constitute the Nominating Bodies sub-panel of candidates.
Four members of the newly elected Dáil or outgoing Seanad may nominate one candidate for any panel. Each member of the Dáil and Seanad is entitled to be involved in only one nomination. The candidates nominated in this way constitute the Oireachtas sub-panel of candidates.
Numbers elected from each panel
The law provides that the total number of members who are elected from each panel and the minimum number of members who must come from each sub-panel are as follows:
Panel | Total | Minimum from each sub-panel |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural and Educational | 5 | 2 |
| Agricultural | 11 | 4 |
| Labour | 11 | 4 |
| Industrial and Commercial | 9 | 3 |
| Administrative | 7 | 3 |
Bye-elections
If a Panel Member of the Seanad dies, resigns or is disqualified, a bye-election is held. The law provides that this is organised differently from the initial election. The members of the Dáil and Seanad are the electorate for the bye-election. Nine members of the Dáil and Seanad may nominate a candidate if the vacancy is on the Oireachtas sub-panel. A Nominating Body for the relevant panel may nominate a candidate if the vacancy in on the Nominating Bodies sub-panel.
Register of Nominating Bodies
The Seanad returning officer (the Clerk of the Seanad) maintains a register of bodies entitled to nominate candidates to the panels of candidates. To be eligible for registration as a Nominating Body, an organisation must be concerned mainly with, and be representative of, the interests and services of one or other of the panels. A body cannot be registered in respect of more than one panel. Organisations which are mainly profit-making concerns are not eligible for registration. The register is revised annually.
The Nominating Bodies specified in March 2013 are as follows:
Cultural and Educational Panel
Royal Irish Academy
Cumann Leabharlann na hÉireann (The Library Association of Ireland)
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation
Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland
An Cumann Gairm-Oideachais In Éirinn (The Irish Vocational Education Association)
The Law Society of Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Comhairle na d’Tréidlia (Veterinary Council)
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland
The Council of the Bar of Law Library, Ireland
Bantracht na Tuaithe (Irish Countrywomen’s Association)
The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
The Royal Irish Academy of Music
Irish Dental Association
The Irish Georgian Society
Cumann le Seandacht Átha Cliath (The Old Dublin Society)
Cónaidhm Éireannach na Múinteoirí Ollscoile (Irish Federation of University Teachers)
National Youth Council of Ireland
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Conradh na Gaeilge
Aontas Múinteoirí Éireann/Teachers’ Union of Ireland
Dental Council
The Institute of Community Health Nursing
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Gael-Linn Teoranta
Local Authority Medical Specialists Limited
The Drama League of Ireland
Gaelscoileanna Teo.
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge
Writers’ Guild of Ireland
Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge
Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann (Genealogical Society of Ireland)
Comhlámh
Visual Artists Ireland
Theatre Forum Limited
Agricultural Panel
Royal Dublin Society
Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited
The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
The Dairy Executives’ Association
Munster Agricultural Society
Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation Lawn
Irish Grain and Feed Association
National Association of Regional Game Councils
Agricultural Science Association
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Labour Panel
Irish Congress of Trade Unions
The Irish Conference of Professional and Service Associations
Industrial and Commercial Panel
The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland
The Construction Industry Federation
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry
RGDATA—Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Trades Association
Society of Chartered Surveyors
The Insurance Institute of Ireland
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
Irish Business and Employers Confederation
Irish Hotels Federation
The Association of Advertisers in Ireland Limited
The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland
The Institution of Engineers of Ireland
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers
Wholesale Produce Ireland
Vintners’ Federation of Ireland
The Restaurants Association of Ireland
Irish Road Haulage Association
Irish Tourist Industry Confederation
Marketing Institute of Ireland
Cumann na nGníomhairí Paitinne agus Marcanna Trádá (Association of Patent Trade Mark Attorneys)
Irish Hospitality Institute
The Electrical Industries Federation of Ireland
Irish Exporters Association Limited
Institute of Industrial Engineers
The Marketing Society Limited
Licensed Vintners’ Association
Institute of Bankers in Ireland
The Irish Computer Society
Irish Planning Institute
Irish Country Houses and Restaurants Association
The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport in Ireland
National Off-Licence Association
Hardware Association Ireland
Professional Insurance Brokers Association Limited
Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers
Irish Insurance Federation
National Housebuilding Construction House Guarantee Company Limited
The Institute of Directors in Ireland Limited
Nursing Homes Ireland
West Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Independent Broadcasters of Ireland
Administrative Panel
Association of County and City Councils
Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland
Central Remedial Clinic
Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland
Irish Wheelchair Association
Inclusion Ireland —Association for People with an Intellectual Disability
National Association for Deaf
Irish Kidney Association
Irish Deaf Society — National Association of the Deaf
Disability Federation of Ireland
Irish Foster Care Association
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCO)
Center for Independent Living
http://www.irisoifigiuil.ie/currentissues/Ir220313.pdf
How Laws are made
At present, the Oireachtas (the National Parliament of Ireland) consists of the President, the Dáil and the Seanad. The Dáil and Seanad are the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Oireachtas makes the laws of the country.
Proposed laws are called Bills. In order to become law, a Bill must be passed both by the Dáil and by the Seanad and then signed by the President. The Bill then becomes an Act.
Any member of the Dáil or of the Seanad may propose general legislation. However, Money Bills and Bills to amend the Constitution must be proposed in the Dáil.
In practice, the majority of new laws are proposed by the Government of the day. A Minister presents a Bill to the Dáil or Seanad for discussion and decision. Sometimes a member of the Dáil or Seanad who is not a Minister presents a Bill – this is called a Private Member’s Bill. The procedure that is followed is the same regardless of who proposes the Bill.
Occasionally, before a Bill is presented in either House of the Oireachtas, the “Heads of a Bill” are published. This is a general outline of what is likely to be in the Bill. The Heads of a Bill may then be discussed by an Oireachtas Committee and/or a public consultation process may be undertaken. There is no constitutional or legal requirement that this process takes place.
Usually, a Bill is presented by a Minister to the Dáil. Occasionally the process is started in the Seanad but Bills to amend the Constitution must start in the Dáil. Each Bill has to go through a number of “stages” or “readings”.
Members of each House may propose changes to Bills. The Seanad has the power to delay a Bill by up to 90 days but does not have the power to prevent it becoming an Act or to change it unless the Dáil agrees. The Seanad does not have the power to change or delay Money Bills.
First stage: The first stage or reading involves presenting the title of the Bill to the Dáil (or Seanad). In effect that just allows the Bill to be printed. The Bill is then circulated to all Members of the House in which it was presented.
Second stage: At the second stage the person who is presenting the Bill (usually a Minister) explains the policy and background to the Bill. There is a general discussion on the principle of the Bill.
Third stage/Committee stage: The next stage is called the committee stage. The Bill is analysed in detail at this stage and amendments may be proposed either by the Government or by any member of the House. Amendments which would result in extra spending may only be proposed by the Government. The committee stage may take place at a Committee of the Dáil (or Seanad) or it may take place before the full House.
Fourth stage/Report stage: The fourth stage – sometimes called the report stage – involves discussion of amendments which arise out of Committee Stage.
Fifth stage/Final stage: The next stage involves discussion of the final contents of the Bill, passing the Bill and sending it to the other House (the Seanad usually) where a similar procedure is followed.
If the Seanad changes a Bill or does not pass a Bill
The Dáil must consider any changes (amendments) made to a Bill (other than a Money Bill) by the Seanad Article 20. If the Dáil agrees these changes, the Bill proceeds in the normal way.
The passage of a Bill may be delayed by 90 days Article 23 if:
- the Bill is rejected by the Seanad or
- the Dáil does not agree with any changes proposed by the Seanad or
- the Seanad makes no decision on the Bill.
(This does not apply to and to certain emergency Bills Article 24).
The 90 day period starts from the date on which the Bill was first sent to the Seanad by the Dáil. The Houses of the Oireachtas may agree a longer period than 90 days in respect of a particular Bill.
After the 90 days (or longer agreed period) have passed, the Dáil may pass a resolution, within 180 days, deeming the Bill to have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill can then be signed by the President. If no such resolution is passed, the Bill lapses.
The Bill becomes law
When the Bill is passed by both the Dáil and Seanad it is sent to the President for signature. In general, the President must sign the Bill not earlier than the fifth and not later than the seventh day after the date on which it is presented to him or her unless it is being referred to the Supreme Court outlined in Article 26. However, the Government may ask the President to sign the Bill earlier than the fifth day provided this has been agreed by the Seanad. If the Seanad passes an “Early Signature” motion, the President must sign the Bill earlier than the fifth day.
The Bill becomes an Act when it has been signed. It may become law immediately after the President signs or there may be a clause or clauses in it which specify when it will come into effect or how it will be brought into effect. Sections may come into effect at different times.
The texts of laws passed by the Oireachtas are available at: www.irishstatutebook.ie
Effect of referendum proposal on making laws
If the referendum is passed, the Seanad will be abolished. Bills will be considered and accepted or rejected by the Dáil alone.
The early signature of Bills by the President will be a matter for the Government.
Money Bills
Definition of Money Bill
The Constitution Article 22 defines a Money Bill as a Bill which contains only provisions dealing with all of any of the following matters:
- the imposition, repeal, remission, alteration or regulation of taxation;
- the imposition for the payment of debt or other financial purposes of charges on public moneys or the variation or repeal of any such charges;
- supply;
- the appropriation, receipt, custody, issue or audit of accounts of public money;
- the raising or guarantee of any loan or the repayment thereof;
- matters subordinate and incidental to these matters or any of them.
In this definition, taxation, public money and loan do not include taxation, money or loans raised by local authorities or bodies for local purposes.
Seanad’s role in relation to Money Bills
Money Bills must start in the Dáil. Other Bills may start in either the Dáil or the Seanad. The Seanad must consider Money Bills but may not make changes. It can make recommendations within 21 days. These recommendations may be accepted or rejected by the Dáil. The Seanad cannot delay Money Bills in the manner in which it can delay other Bills.
Disputes about whether or not a Bill is a Money Bill
The Constitution provides a mechanism for resolving a dispute between the Dáil and the Seanad about whether or not a Bill is a Money Bill. The Ceann Comhairle (Chairman of the Dáil) certifies that a Bill is a Money Bill and that certificate is final and conclusive unless it is challenged by the Seanad. In order to challenge the certificate, the Seanad may pass a resolution asking the President to refer the issue to a committee, called a Committee of Privileges. There must be at least 30 members of the Seanad present when such a resolution is passed.
The President, after consulting the Council of State, may decide to appoint a Committee of Privileges. This Committee consists of an equal number of members of the Dáil and the Seanad and is chaired by a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Committee must make a decision within 21 days. That decision is final and conclusive.
Referral of Bills by the President to the Supreme Court
In order to become laws, Bills must be signed by the President. Before signing, the President has the power to refer most Bills to the Supreme Court for a decision on whether or not a Bill or part of it is constitutional Article 26. The President does not have the power to refer Money Bills to the Supreme Court. The only other Bills which may not be referred to the Supreme Court by the President are Bills to amend the Constitution and certain Bills passed in times of emergency.
Effect of Referendum proposal on Money Bills
If the referendum is passed:
- The definition of a Money Bill will not be changed.
- The Seanad will be abolished and, therefore, cannot have any role in relation to any Bills.
- The mechanism for resolving disputes as to whether a Bill is a Money Bill will be removed from the Constitution as no such dispute can arise.
- The Ceann Comhairle will continue to certify that a Bill is a Money Bill. The Constitution will include a provision that the certificate will be final and conclusive unless the Dáil passes a resolution that the Bill is not a Money Bill.
The Seanad’s role in relation to European Union (EU) laws and decisions
At present, Ireland may adopt and implement certain EU laws and decisions only if this is approved in advance by each of the Dáil and the Seanad. The laws and decisions in question are as follows:
Power to Change the Treaties governing the EU
In general, the Treaties governing the EU can be amended only by the member states. The usual procedure is that the member states agree an amending treaty. That treaty is then approved by each member state in accordance with its own constitutional traditions. In almost all cases this involves parliamentary approval. In some cases, for example in Ireland, a referendum may be required.
There are two situations in which the European Council (the Heads of Government of each member state) may amend the Treaties governing the EU.
- The European Council may propose changes to certain parts of the governing Treaties. Any such change cannot increase the competence of the EU – that means it cannot give power to the EU to do something that it does not currently have the power to do. Any such proposal must be agreed unanimously by the European Council, meaning that any one national government may veto such a proposal. If the European Council does agree a proposed change, then in order for it to come into effect, it must be ratified by the Member States in accordance with their own constitutional traditions. This may require a referendum in Ireland.
- The European Council has the power to amend the Treaties so as to allow to operate in certain areas where unanimity is now required and to apply the in certain areas where a Special Legislative Procedure applies at present. This power does not extend to military and defence issues.Any such proposals must be agreed unanimously by the European Council. This means that any national government may veto such a proposal. If the European Council does agree a proposed change, any national parliament may prevent these changes coming into effect. In Ireland, the prior approval of each of the Dáil and Seanad is required for Ireland to agree to such proposed changes. Such changes would not require a referendum in Ireland. Qualified Majority Voting is the voting system used in the majority of decisions made by the Council of the EU. In this system, each member state’s vote is given a weighting which is related to, but not directly proportionate to, the population.The Ordinary Legislative Procedure is the procedure which applies to most EU laws. The legislation is proposed by the European Commission and the decision is made jointly by the Council and the European Parliament. Special Legislative Procedures apply in a small number of areas, for example, foreign policy and security, where the decision is made by the Council alone.
Enhanced Co-operation
Enhanced co-operation (sometimes called flexibility) is the term used for the procedure which allows a number of member states to use the institutions of the EU to promote closer co-operation among themselves. There are a number of conditions which must be fulfilled before this procedure can be used.
Among these conditions are:
- a minimum of 9 member states must be involved;
- the aim must be to further the objectives of the EU;
- the principles of the Treaties must be respected;
- it should not affect the body of decisions taken to date by the EU (known as the acquis communautaire) or the rights and interests of other member states
- it must be used only as a last resort (it must be clear that the aim cannot be achieved within a reasonable time by using normal EU procedures).
If it is being used in relation to common foreign and security policy it must be unanimously approved by the Council. In other areas, it must be backed by the Commission, approved by the Council (by Qualified Majority Voting) and approved by the European Parliament.
If Ireland wants to take part in this procedure, the prior approval of each of the Dáil and the Seanad is required.
Areas where Ireland may opt in or opt out
The EU Treaties provide that Ireland (and the UK) is not obliged to take part in, or be bound by, decisions in what is known as the “Area of Freedom, Security and Justice”. This covers issues such as asylum, immigration, border controls, judicial co-operation and police co-operation.
Ireland may decide to be involved in particular issues – it may “opt in” or “opt out” of particular decisions. This special arrangement for Ireland has been in existence since these areas came within the remit of the EU in 1999. In practice, Ireland has opted in to a number of decisions, for example, in relation to asylum and judicial co-operation and has not exercised its right to opt in to others, for example, border controls.
If Ireland wants to opt in to decisions in these areas, the prior approval of each of the Dáil and the Seanad is required. Ireland may make a decision to withdraw totally from the opt out. Such a decision also requires the prior approval of each of the Dáil and the Seanad.
Effect of the referendum
If the referendum is passed, the prior approval of the Dáil alone will be required for Ireland to adopt and implement these laws and decisions.
Article 29.4.7° and Article 29.4.8°
Seanad referendum – Transitional provisions
If the referendum is passed, the Seanad will be abolished after the next general election. The “abolition day” will be the day before the next Dáil meets for the first time. The newly elected Dáil must meet within 30 days of the general election. The current Seanad will continue until the abolition day.
Bills before the Oireachtas
The proposal to amend the Constitution to provide for the abolition of the Seanad includes provisions dealing with what is to happen to Bills which are before the Oireachtas on abolition day. In summary, these are:
- A Bill started in either the Dáil or Seanad before the abolition day that is not passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses before that day will be deemed to have lapsed; the Bill could be reintroduced in the Dáil afterwards.
- The normal rules and procedures will apply to Bills which have been passed by both Houses but not yet enacted, that is, not signed by the President. For example, if the President has referred a Bill to the Supreme Court (Article 26), the Supreme Court will make a ruling in the normal way and the Bill will then be signed by the President if it is considered to be constitutional or not signed if it is considered to be unconstitutional.
Removal of officeholders
The proposal to amend the Constitution also includes provisions for what is to happen if Constitutional procedures for the removal from office of certain officeholders and which involve the Seanad have started, but are not completed, by the abolition day. They are:
- impeachment of the President Article 12.10
- removal of the Comptroller and Auditor General from office Article 33.5
- removal of a judge from office Article 35.4
In general, no further steps may be taken in any such procedure after the abolition day. However, in the case of the removal of the Comptroller and Auditor General or a judge from office, the procedure may continue if the necessary resolutions have been passed by the Dáil and Seanad and the remaining steps, that is, the notification of the President by the Taoiseach of the resolutions and the issuing of the Presidential order for removal, have yet to be completed.
Any such procedure which has stopped because it was not completed by abolition day may be started again under the new rules which will apply after the abolition of the Seanad.
Text of transitional provisions
If the referendum is passed, the following Articles will be added to the Constitution. Article 19A will be added after Article 19 and Article 50A after Article 50. As is stated within the Articles, these Articles will not be part of the official text of the Constitution if and when the Seanad is actually abolished.
Abolition of Seanad Éireann
Article 19A
- 1° Seanad Éireann shall stand abolished on the day and at the time (“the abolition day”) specified in the following subsections of this section.2° The day referred to in subsection 1° hereof is the day immediately preceding the one on which Dáil Éireann first meets after the general election for members of Dáil Éireann that next takes place after the enactment of this Article.3° The time on the day referred to in subsection 1° hereof is midnight.
- Notwithstanding Article 18.8 hereof, no general election for Seanad Éireann shall take place after the dissolution of Dáil Éireann that next occurs after the enactment of this Article.
- This Article shall be omitted from every official text of this Constitution published after the abolition day.
Article 50A
- In this Article “the abolition day” has the same meaning as it has in Article 19A of this Constitution.
- 1° A Bill initiated in either House of the Oireachtas before the abolition day that is not passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses before that day shall, on that day, be deemed to have lapsed; but this shall not prevent the introduction or reintroduction of the Bill in Dáil Éireann after the abolition day.2° In relation to a Bill passed or deemed to have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before the abolition day but which has not been enacted into law before that day:
i without prejudice to paragraphs ii and iii hereof, the provisions of this Constitution in relation to the signing and promulgation of laws (including, where applicable, Article 26) shall apply to the Bill,
ii where, before the abolition day, steps under Article 26 hereof had begun to be taken in relation to the Bill, those steps may continue to be taken and completed in relation to it under that Article as if the amendments of that Article by the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Act 2013 had not been effected,
iii where, before the abolition day, steps under Article 27 hereof had begun to be taken in relation to the Bill, those steps may continue to be taken and completed in relation to it under that Article as if the deletion of that Article, and the deletion of the associated provisions of Article 47 hereof, by the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Act 2013 had not been effected. - 1° This section applies where the procedure referred to in the next following subsection is not completed before the abolition day.2° Subject to the following proviso and subsection 4° of this section, no further step shall be taken, after the abolition day, in any procedure initiated under a relevant provision before that day to remove a holder of the office referred to in the provision:Provided that this subsection shall not prevent, after the abolition day, the initiation again of the procedure, with respect to the same matters and person the subject of that procedure, under the relevant provision as amended by the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Act 2013 or, in the case of Article 35.4, as amended by the aforesaid Act and by any other amendment of that provision, made in accordance with Article 46 hereof, taking effect on or before the abolition day.3° Each of the following provisions of this Constitution is a relevant provision for the purposes of this section:
i Article 12.10; 40
ii Article 33.5; and
iii Article 35.4.4° If, in the case of Article 33.5 or Article 35.4 of this Constitution, the only steps, in the procedure referred to in subsection 2° hereof, remaining to be taken after the abolition day are one or more of the steps referred to in subsection 2° or 3° of the said Article 33.5 or Article 35.4 (as the case may be), the remaining step or steps shall, notwithstanding subsection 2° hereof, be taken after the abolition day and the person concerned shall be removed from office. - 1° This section applies with respect to the place in this Constitution in which there was set out an Article that was deleted by the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Act 2013.
2° In every official text of this Constitution published after the abolition day, there shall appear, in the place aforesaid, under a heading that indicates the Article to which it relates, the following statement:“This Article was deleted by the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Act 2013.”. - This Article shall be omitted from every official text of this Constitution published after the abolition day.
