McDowell, Michael
Senator and Senior Counsel
Senator Michael McDowell lives in Dublin and is married to Professor Niamh Brennan and they have three sons. He is the youngest grandson of Eoin Mac Neill, co-founder of Conradh na Gaeilge, of the National University of Ireland, and of the Irish Volunteers.
A strong advocate for the retention of the Upper House, Michael McDowell actively and successfully campaigned in 2013 along with Senator Feargal Quinn, the late Noel Whelan and others to save the Seanad in the referendum of that year.
Senator McDowell has, since his election to Seanad Éireann in 2016 continued to campaign from the inside to give a Seanad vote to all citizens in panel elections, instead of multiple votes being held by a narrow electorate of Oireachtas members and Councillors. This approach has been resisted by government to date but the campaign for reform has broad support and will resume when a new administration is in place following the recent general election.
Michael McDowell played a leading role in the national debate during the 2024 Family and Care referendums and worked hard to convey nationwide the message that the people should reject the Government’s proposed amendments to our Constitution.
The resounding result whereby the people voted No-No by a huge majority illustrates the value of truly independent opposition in holding the government to account and the value of the Seanad in scrutinising legislation carefully and free of the whip system.
Graduate of NUI in Economics, Politics, Roman Law and Jurisprudence (UCD 1972) Called to the Bar 1974. Made a Senior Counsel in 1987 Elected to Dáil Éireann 1987, 1992 and 2002 Member of Seanad Éireann Independent Group since 2016 Adjunct Professor in the Sutherland School of Law, UCD (2009 -present) Member of the Development Council of the Sutherland School of Law, UCD 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, Council of State (1999-2002, 2006-2007) Chairman, Seanad Reform Implementation Group (2017-2018) -
Member, Seanad Select Committee on the Decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (Brexit Committee) (2016-2018) Member, Seanad Committee on Members Interests (2016-present) Member of Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment (2016-2020) Member, Seanad Special Committee on Scrutiny of EU Statutory Instruments Member, Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice (2020 – 2024) Member, Joint Oireachtas Committee on EU Affairs (2020 – 2024) Member, Seanad Committee on Procedure Privilege and Oversight
Seanad Bill 2020 Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 Children (Amendment) Bill 2020 Costs in Probate Matters Bill 2017 Online Age Verification Bill 2024 Scoliosis Bill 2024 Occupied Territories Bill
Some legislative initiatives sponsored by Senator Michael McDowell
For Michael McDowell’s latest articles, updates and Seanad debates please visit www.michaelmcdowell.ie
For any queries contact 01 6183466 or email michael.mcdowell@oir.ie
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