Former justice minister Michael McDowell elected to Seanad

Former Justice Minister Michael McDowell has been elected to Seanad Éireann on the NUI panel.

Mr McDowell, who is an Adjunct Professor in the UCD Sutherland School of Law, has said he believes the Seanad can be “reformed into a vibrant and dynamic chamber with an important role to play in Irish democracy”.

He appealed for support from NUI graduates in order to “lead change from within Seanad Éireann and complete the job that the Irish electorate started when it rejected the abolition of our Seanad”.

Speaking after his election, he said he was privileged to have been elected and said he was hugely grateful to NUI electors.