Senator Mark Daly has been appointed cathaoirleach of the Seanad, as it sits for the first time since elections last month.
The Fianna Fáil senator was re-elected to the Administrative panel at the end of January.
Senator Daly has previously served as cathaoirleach and was elected unopposed this afternoon.
Speaking in the chamber after his election, Senator Daly paid tribute to his predecessor in the role, the now Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Jerry Buttimer, saying the role of the Seanad is to "make this country a better place".
Senator Daly said "people who serve in Seanad Éireann do not get here on anything other than hard work", saying the 60 senators in the new Seanad "are standing on the shoulders of giants", naming former senators David Norris, who retired last year, and former president Mary Robinson.
Fine Gael senator Sean Kyne and Independent senator Alice Mary Higgins both referenced the likelihood of the Seanad discussing international issues during its term, with Senator Kyne saying the world is witnessing "turbulent times" and Senator Higgins saying world affairs need to be taken "seriously".
Widening of voting rights
Independent Senator Michael McDowell used his speaking time to say he supports the widening of voting rights in the next Seanad elections to graduates of third level institutions rather than those only from NUI, Trinity College, councillors, senators and TDs.
However, Senator McDowell said in his view the right to vote in the Seanad should be extended to everyone "whether or not they have a university degree", saying "we cannot in future aspire to have this House elected again and again" when around "two thirds" of the population are "excluded".
Senator McDowell said given both the Seanad reform commission recommended a possible switch to a system where the majority of senators could be elected by one person one vote, and the minority in future by local authorities and members of the Oireachtas, it would be "a reasonable compromise" to consider this possibility.
He said in his view such a change could take place "within the Constitution" and "doesn't require a referendum", adding he is aware some members of the public look at senators or people who are entitled to vote in the Seanad and ask: "Why are you there, what's so special about you that I don't have a vote in the same way as you? The case for reform has never been as strong as it is now."
A number of other senators have also spoken in the first sitting of the Seanad since the elections to the Upper House.
They include Sinn Féin senator and until recently MLA and economy minister in Stormont, Conor Murphy, who said the world is facing "a very uncertain time internationally", and that he will "try and ensure we hold the Government to account" from the Seanad.
Senator Murphy also asked for the election as cathaoirleach to be put to a tá/níl verbal vote. Senator Daly was elected unopposed.
Independent Senator Ger Craughwell used his speaking time to say he was nominated to run in the Seanad Éireann elections by a group which represents members of the defence forces and the gardaí, and said in his view there are "vulnerabilities when it comes to security and defence" in Ireland which need to be addressed.
Other senators to speak included the Social Democrats' first senator, Patricia Stephenson, who said being elected to the Upper House is "such an honour and a privilege".
Senator Stephenson said when it comes to world affairs it is important that Ireland is not "pulled" into a situation that is "against the interests of the Irish people", while at a national level she said that as "a child of the Good Friday Agreement" she is aware of the importance of peace, saying those enduring a housing crisis "are not living in peace".
Independent Senator Eileen Flynn, who in 2020 became the first woman from the Travelling community to become a senator, also said that in her view the current Seanad is "not reflective of the Ireland it should be".
Among dignitaries who attended the first session of the new Seanad today were Sabina Higgins, campaigner and wife of President Michael D Higgins.
Cathaoirleach Mark Daly took time to recognise Ms Higgins, saying she is a "great champion of great causes", before also recognising who he described as the youngest person in the room, the 12-week-old grandchild of Senator Joe Conway, saying she is "napping" nearby.
Seanad party leaders
Fiona O'Loughlin has been appointed as Fianna Fail's leader in the Seanad, while Fine Gael's leader is former TD Sean Kyne.
Sinn Féin's leader is former MLA and Stormont economy minister, Conor Murphy.
