Seanad Éireann
An Seanad is the upper house of Ireland's bicameral Parliamentry system and is not elected by the public at large. The election procedure consists of nominations from the Taoiseach, University graduates and special interest groups[1]. An Seanad has very few political powers, partly as a result of historical pressures (As the Senate was established by the British government during the reign of the Irish Free state)
The Irish Senate holds a few minor powers, such as the ability to delay a bill from passing into law for sixty days, and also has Senators represented in government committee's. Senator David Norris is famed for playing a huge role in legalising homosexuality in a landmark 1993 courtcase. He also holds the distinction of being the first openly gay elected member of any modern parliamentry body in the world.