The election to the Seanad is now underway, with the NUI seats due to be decided by the end of January 2025. In all, there are 12 candidates for the three NUI seats, with all three sitting Senators running again.

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, who has an outstanding record over the past eight years since she was first elected, is on the ballot sheet.

Those on the left will be well aware of the importance of getting the vote out in significant numbers. Of three NUI seats, last time out, two went to right-wing candidates – Michael McDowell (ex- of the PDs) and Ronan Mullen. The election of the latter – a former spokesman for the Archbishop of Dublin and an anti-choice activist, who campaigned against Repealing the 8th amendment and against same-sex marriage – might seem like a surprise, given the generally more liberal views of university graduates. That, however, is to underestimate the extent to which Catholic right is motivated to support its candidates in what is a relatively rarified world.

Alice-Mary Higgins was first elected to Seanad Éireann in 2016, becoming the first woman in thirty-five years to be elected to the NUI panel. She was re-elected in 2020.

She has been among the most active and effective legislators in the Seanad, winning over 70 changes to law and sponsoring 20 Bills, including the Mandate for Nature Bill, Adequate Minimum Wage Bill, Arms Embargo Bill and Occupied Territories Bill.

Alice-Mary leads the Seanad Civil Engagement Group, working with progressive independent Senators Frances Black, Lynn Ruane and Eileen Flynn to strengthen links between civil society and politics. She believes every citizen should have a vote in Seanad elections.

In 2020, Miriam Lord of the Irish Times chose Alice-Mary as ‘Senator of the Year’ for “her tireless approach, collegial outlook, level of research, grasp of detail, participation in debates and undimmed enthusiasm for the job.”

Alice-Mary has served on Joint Oireachtas Committees for Environment and Climate Action, for Finance and Public Expenditure and for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. She was a member of special committees on Gender Equality and Disability Matters and the new Seanad Committee on EU Scrutiny.

Her election literature describes her as “an advocate for social and economic equality all her adult life,” adding that Alice-Mary offers passion, thought and care as well as "commitment, experience, ideas and a track record of driving change.”

She has set out her key priorities if re-elected to Seanad Éireann as follows:

Environment
"Alice-Mary led scrutiny and strengthening of the Climate Act and champions the protection of biodiversity. She will continue to seek a just transition for people and planet."

Equality
"Alice-Mary is a strong voice for gender equality, including pension equality. She has sponsored progressive legislation on minority rights and fought for implementation of the UNCRPD. She will always speak up for inclusion."

Ethical Economics
"Alice-Mary’s Quality in Public Procurement Bill would deliver better value and higher standards. She has advocated for workers’ rights and strongly opposed speculation in arms or fossil fuels."

Public Services
"Alice-Mary will continue to fight for properly resourced public services in health, transport and care and for investment in education as a public good, from early-years right through to third-level."

Peace and Human Rights
"Alice-Mary co-sponsored the Occupied Territories Bill and introduced the Arms Embargo Bill to block the transport of weapons to Israel through Ireland. She will continue to defend human rights at home and abroad and promote Ireland as a voice for peace."

The full list of candidates, in alphabetical order, is below. The short descriptions are those provided by the candidates themselves to the NUI, and published by their website. Looking at some of these, a degree of scepticism is required...

Sandra Adams (Advocate for Women’s Rights, Child Safeguarding, Free Speech and Fact-based Education), Hilary Beirne (Educator Community Organiser), Rónán Collins (Doctor and Consultant Geriatrician), Eva Dowling (Green Party Councillor), Alice-Mary Higgins (Senator and Advocate for Equality and Environment), Marie Keenan (Associate Professor Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice), Mairead Kenny (Programme Manager, Independent Advocate for Housing & Homeless), Dara Kilmartin (Consultat Eye Surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor), Michael McDowell (Senator and Senior Counsel), Rónán Mullen (Full-time Public Representative, Senator), Michael O’Doherty (Founder & CEO of IT Comms Company) and Linda O’Shea Farren (Solicitor and Arts Manager).

Hot Press urges the National University graduates among its readership to make sure that they are registered, and that the address on the NUI records is the correct one – or one from which the ballot papers can easily be collected.

“The Seanad is in need of reform,” Hot Press editor Niall Stokes said, “but it still has a hugely important role to play in scrutinising bills and making amendments to them before they become law. This is where having people of real calibre and commitment in the Seanad can make a huge difference. Historically, the representatives of the NUI and Trinity College have been among the leading lights in this respect. With the likelihood of a Government coming into power in the new year, supported by a ragbag of right-leaning independents, the need for this kind of careful and thoughtful scrutiny will be greater than ever."