Michael McDowell
Independent
About Michael McDowell
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, and re-elected in 2020 and 2025 when he topped the poll securing the highest ever vote in the NUI constituency. 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.
He serves on the Oireachtas Justice Committee, is Deputy Chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and Chairman of its Finance Committee. He is a member of 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.
Updates
McDowell slams anti-semitism accusations
In the Seanad on Wednesday, Senator Michael McDowell roundly rejected all and any claims that the actions of Ireland, its Government,
Groundbreaking Scoliosis Bill to impose statutory treatment duties on HSE passes final stages in Seanad Éireann
Children living in pain spending years lingering on lists “Its over to our Dáil colleagues now to take the torch and
Statement by Senator Michael McDowell on the death of Evan Fitzgerald
Senator McDowell calls for clarity of entrapment use in non-terrorist, non organised crime garda investigations Speaking on the Order of Business
