Seventh Amendment of The Constitution of Ireland - Overview

Overview

Prior to the Seventh Amendment it was a constitutional requirement that three members of Seanad Éireann, the Irish senate, be elected by the graduates of the National University of Ireland and three by the graduates of the University of Dublin (better known as Trinity College). With the amendment this requirement was changed to merely one that six senators be elected by the graduates of any institutions of higher education in any manner that might be determined by law by the Oireachtas (parliament). The amendment also ensured that the mere mention of the National University of Ireland and of the University of Dublin would not prevent either of these universities being dissolved in future. Furthermore, while the dissolution of the National University of Ireland was actively discussed in the 1970s with a view to legislation following the Seventh Amendment, this never came to pass. While the changes shown above are those made to the English language text of the constitution, constitutionally it is the Irish text that has precedence.

Actually, as of 2007, three senators continue to be elected by graduates of the National University of Ireland and three by graduates of the University of Dublin; the Oireachtas has not passed any law to allow graduates of other higher-education institutions or universities elect members to the Seanad in accordance with the amendment.

The Seventh amendment was introduced by a Fianna Fáil government. It was submitted to a referendum on the same day as the Sixth Amendment, which dealt with the validity of certain child adoption orders, and was approved on a low turnout by 552,600 (92.4%) votes in favour to 45,484 (7.6%) against.