Michael McDowell
Senator
Senator Michael McDowell graduated in Economics and Politics from the National University of Ireland at University College Dublin, qualified as a barrister in 1974 and was called to the Inner Bar in 1987. He practises as a Senior Counsel in the Law Library, Dublin.
He was elected as an independent member to Seanad Éireann, the Irish Senate, by the graduates of the National University of Ireland in 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and again in 2025 when he topped the poll.
He has served on the Justice Committee, the Committee on European Affairs, and the Committee on Procedure and Privilege. He was previously Attorney General of Ireland and served in that post until June 2002, when on the formation of the new Government he was appointed Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform until June 2007, and as Tánaiste from September 2006 to June 2007.
Senator McDowell will be speaking as part of the Systemic Challenges: Response session on Tuesday 25 March.
