In Ireland, supreme court holds law on senate elections to university panels unconstitutional

The Supreme Court has found that the legislation governing the election of senators to the Seanad university panels is unconstitutional and the Oireachtas must legislate to allow graduates of third-level institutions other than the National University of Ireland and Trinity College Dublin to vote. In what is being described as a landmark case, the court found that Article 18.4.2 of the Constitution, brought in after a referendum in 1979, mandated the Oireachtas to enact legislation to include the electorates of other institutions of higher education as well as NUI or TCD. But the court found such legislation was never enacted, meaning graduates of institutions other than TCD and NUI have no entitlement to vote for candidates on the university panel. However, the Supreme Court has suspended making its declaration that the current law is unconstitutional until 31 July meaning its decision will not affect any election held in the meantime.
Read the full article here: Raidió Teilifís Éireann