17th Seanad
The 17th Seanad was in office from 1983 to 1987. An election to Seanad Éireann, the senate of the Oireachtas, followed the November 1982 general election to the 24th Dáil. The senators served until the close of poll for the 18th Seanad.
Cathaoirleach
On 23 February 1983, Patrick J. Reynolds was proposed as Cathaoirleach by James Dooge and seconded by Seán O'Leary. He was elected without a division.On 9 March 1983, Tras Honan was proposed as Leas-Chathaoirleach by Mick Lanigan and seconded by Thomas Hussey. She was elected without a division.
Composition of the 17th Seanad
There are a total of 60 seats in the Seanad: 43 were elected on five vocational panels, 6 were elected from two university constituencies and 11 were nominated by the Taoiseach.The following table shows the composition by party when the 17th Seanad first met on 23 February 1983.