Michael McDowell
Independent
Michael McDowell
Independent
Independent Senator for Seanad Éireann NUI Constituency
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.
LEARN MORE
Seanad Éireann is a revising chamber where we are tolerant and not abusive towards each
other, not hostile to each other and where reflective debate and serious consideration of
legislation takes place
Looking at the Planning and Development Bill itself it is not a step in the right direction, it is
a step in the wrong direction
I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have read our documents and the
tens of thousands who have sent me their messages of support. There’s only one more step.
#VoteNoNo – March 2024
This Bill is brought about with the aim of achieving accountability and
performance and by reason of a crisis that has emerged regarding the provision
of surgery for scoliosis victims in the State
Updates
Latest Articles
Watch Recent Debates
Motion regarding the EU-Israel Association Agreement
Arbitration Bill - Seanad Committee Stage 28th May 2026
Play
Play
Play
Play
Play
Play
