Michael McDowell is an Independent Senator and a practising Senior Counsel. He was elected to Seanad Éireann, the Irish Senate, by the graduates of the National University of Ireland in 2016, re-elected in 2020 and is a candidate in the NUI constituency for the next Seanad election in January 2025. In 2024, Senator McDowell played a leading national role in the opposing campaign in the Government’s Family and Care referendums, leading to a resounding victory for the No-No campaign.

In the 26th Seanad (2020-2025) he served on the Oireachtas Justice Committee, the Committee on European Affairs, the Special Committee on Implementation of EU Directives, the Committee on Members Interests and the Committee on Procedure Privilege and Oversight.  He is a member of the Seanad Independent Group, the largest opposition group in Seanad Éireann. This group comprises senators who co-operate while remaining completely independent and free of the whip system.

He was Attorney General of Ireland from 1999- 2002, served as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2002 – 2007 and as Tánaiste from 2006 – 2007.