In February 2025, Senator Mark Daly was re-elected as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann following his fifth Seanad election. Re-elected unopposed by fellow Senators, he became the 26th Cathaoirleach in the history of the Senate of Ireland.
A central theme during this time was the strengthening of local democracy in Ireland. Senator Daly addressed the newly established Local Democracy Task Force, which was created following the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on the Future of Local Democracy, a process he chaired. The report contained 25 recommendations aimed at improving participation, accountability, and effectiveness in local government. The Chair of the Task Force, Jim Breslin, invited Senator Daly to address members as work began on translating the report’s recommendations into a practical implementation plan.
A central theme during this time was the strengthening of local democracy in Ireland. Senator Daly addressed the newly established Local Democracy Task Force, which was created following the report of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on the Future of Local Democracy, a process he chaired. The report contained 25 recommendations aimed at improving participation, accountability, and effectiveness in local government. The Chair of the Task Force, Jim Breslin, invited Senator Daly to address members as work began on translating the report’s recommendations into a practical implementation plan.
International engagement also formed an important part of the work of the Seanad during this period. Senator Daly welcomed U.S. legislators and Irish Trade Commissioners representing states to Ireland for the annual American-Irish State Legislators Caucus and Ireland Trade Commissioners Summit. The delegation took part in a series of engagements including events in Belfast, briefings with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as a visit to Leinster House. Discussions focused on strengthening economic links between Ireland and the United States and reaffirming the longstanding bipartisan American support for the peace process.
International engagement also formed an important part of the work of the Seanad during this period. Senator Daly welcomed U.S. legislators and Irish Trade Commissioners representing states to Ireland for the annual American-Irish State Legislators Caucus and Ireland Trade Commissioners Summit. The delegation took part in a series of engagements including events in Belfast, briefings with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as a visit to Leinster House. Discussions focused on strengthening economic links between Ireland and the United States and reaffirming the longstanding bipartisan American support for the peace process.
During the year, Senator Daly also attended an international conference on interfaith dialogue at the Vatican, where he met Pope Leo XIV alongside leaders of religious traditions and public representatives from around the world. The gathering focused on the role of dialogue and cooperation in addressing tensions and conflicts connected to identity, belief and culture.
European parliamentary cooperation was another element of the role. Senator Daly travelled to Budapest to attend the Conference of Speakers of EU National Parliaments, where he met Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament. The meeting reflected Ireland’s continued support for the Ukrainian people in the face of ongoing aggression and reaffirmed Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s European future.
Throughout the year, the Seanad chamber hosted a number of significant engagements and visitors. The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, addressed Senators on a wide range of domestic and international matters. Senator Daly also welcomed the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Ireland, Ed Walsh, to Leinster House following his appointment in 2025 by the President of the United States. Ambassador Walsh’s role includes strengthening cultural, educational and political ties between Ireland and the United States. The year also marked an important moment in Ireland’s constitutional life.
The presidency of Michael D. Higgins concluded following his second term in office, and in the presidential election that followed, Catherine Connolly was elected President of Ireland. As Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Daly received the formal notification of the election result in the Seanad Chamber when a Captain of the Defence forces delivered the official certificate of the presidential election ahead of President Connolly’s inauguration.
International engagements continued with an address by Senator Daly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the global challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. With only four years remaining until the 2030 deadline, no country is currently on track to fully achieve the goals. The address focused on the need for renewed international cooperation, collective responsibility and practical action in order to meet the commitments set out in the global development framework.
In 2026, the Seanad further strengthened its parliamentary oversight of European legislations through the establishment of the Seanad Select Committee on EU Scrutiny and Transparency. Chaired by Senator Daly in his role as Cathaoirleach, the committee examines European Union Legislative proposals before they are adopted at Government level, providing greater scrutiny and transparency in the EU decision-making process.
That same year, a meeting of the Council of State was convened by President Catherine Connolly. Since the enactment of the Constitution in 1937, only 30 such meetings have taken place. As Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, Senator Daly attended the meeting. Members of the Council received detailed briefing papers from the Office of the President, including transcripts of Seanad debates relating to the legislation under consideration.
Senator Daly’s second term as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann has included a wide range of parliamentary, diplomatic and international engagements, reflecting the evolving role of the Seanad within Ireland’s democratic institutions as he continues to serve in the position.