How do I submit a motion?

Members or their staff can complete these steps, but final motion request should be sent from a Member's own Oireachtas email account to the Seanad Office.

• Each motion requires a proposer and seconder.
• Send the motion no later than 11 a.m. on the fourth preceding day.
• When writing a motion Members can refer to motions on previous Order Papers, all of which are available on the Oireachtas website.
• Typical Private Members’ motions may take the form, "That Seanad Éireann condemns the Government for ...", "notes that the current Housing policy is …" or calls on the Government to ...". These types of motions are usually taken during Private Members’ time and topics of national and international importance have been discussed, as well as matters of concern to particular regions, groups or industries.

Admissibility of motions

The Cathaoirleach rules on the admissibility of Private Members’ motions for compliance with the conditions set out in Standing Orders.

If the motion is deemed admissible, the Member will be notified by the Seanad Office. It will then be circulated as a notice of motion for the information of Members and will appear on the next printed Order Paper.

Amendments to motions

If submitting an amendment to a motion, Members should make sure that the amendment is relevant to the motion to which it is proposed, and is directed to omitting, adding or substituting words.

Amendments should be submitted in writing to the Seanad Office. Send the amendment no later than 11 a.m. on the second preceding day.