Seanad Select Committee on Scrutiny of EU-related Statutory Instruments meets for first time; Senator Martin Conway elected as Chairperson

At the meeting, Senator Martin Conway was elected as Chairperson of the Committee. It is understood that Senator Conway is the first parliamentarian with a declared disability to chair an Oireachtas Committee.

Senator Mark Daly was elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Committee at the meeting.

Speaking after his election, Senator Conway said: “I am grateful to the Members of the Committee for electing me as Chairperson. It is an incredible honour and I am delighted that the Committee is now established. I also pay particular tribute to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, for his work as in bringing this Committee to fruition while Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann. For many years, it has been recommended that the Seanad perform a more detailed role in scrutinising EU legislation and I very much look forward to working with the Vice-Chairperson and Members of the Committee in carrying out its role.”

The Orders of Reference of the Committee were agreed on 7 December 2022. The Committee is a major development on Seanad reform, with a specific role in considering draft statutory instruments which propose to transpose an EU Directive into Irish law. EU Directives may be transposed into Irish law by secondary legislation under section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972.

It is also envisaged that the Committee will engage with the Minister of State for European Affairs on upcoming statutory instruments that transpose EU Directives. Where it believes further scrutiny is required, the Committee may refer the draft statutory instrument to the relevant sectoral Joint Committee and recommend more detailed scrutiny.

The Committee’s proceedings may be viewed on the Committee’s webpage.