McDowell, Michael
Senator and Senior Counsel
Michael McDowell SC was elected to the NUI panel of the 25th Seanad in 2016. He was previously elected to Dáil Éireann on three occasions to represent the constituency of Dublin South East. He was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in June 2002 and served in that ministry until June 2007, and as Tánaiste from September 2006 to June 2007. He chaired the Seanad Reform Implementation Group which presented its comprehensive report to the Taoiseach in 2018. He served on the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment from 2016-2020. He has also served as a member of the Special Seanad Committee on the Decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (Brexit Committee).
In July 1999 he was appointed Attorney General of Ireland and served in that post until June 2002, when he was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
He graduated in Economics and Politics from the National University of Ireland at University College Dublin, qualified as a barrister in 1974 and was called to the Inner Bar in 1987.
Graduate of NUI in Economics, Politics, Roman Law and Jurisprudence (UCD 1972)
Independent Member of Seanad Éireann (2016-)
Adjunct Professor in the Sutherland School of Law, UCD (2009 -present)
Attorney General (1999-2002)
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (2002-2007)
Tánaiste (2006-2007)
President, EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (2004)
Member of Council of State (1999-2002, 2006-2007)
Chairman, Seanad Reform Implementation Group (2017-2018)
Member, Seanad Select Brexit Committee (2016-2018)
Chairman, Seanad Ethics Committee
Member of Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment (2016-2020)
He practises as a Senior Counsel in the Law Library, Dublin.
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