21st Seanad

The 21st Seanad was in office from 1997 to 2002. An election to Seanad Éireann, the senate of the Oireachtas, followed the 1997 general election to the 28th Dáil. The senators served until the close of poll for the 22nd Seanad at the end of July 2002.

Cathaoirleach

On 17 September 1997, Brian Mullooly was proposed as Cathaoirleach by Donie Cassidy and seconded by Michael Finneran. He was elected without a division.
On 18 September 1997, Liam T. Cosgrave was proposed as Leas-Chathaoirleach by Maurice Manning and seconded by Paddy Burke. He was elected without a division.

Composition of the 21st Seanad

There are a total of 60 seats in the Seanad. 43 Senators were elected on five vocational panels, 6 were elected from two university constituencies and 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach.
The following table shows the composition by party when the 21st Seanad first met on 17 September 1997.