Civil Engagement group
The Civil Engagement group is a technical group in Seanad Éireann comprising senators with a background in civic engagement organisations. The group was established in May 2016 after the election of the 25th Seanad, initially by independent senators Alice Mary Higgins, Frances Black, Lynn Ruane and John Dolan, along with Grace O'Sullivan of the Green Party. Colette Kelleher joined the group after being nominated to the Seanad by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. All six are first-time senators. Grace O'Sullivan said the group members "share an activist background and will be pursuing progressive policy". The Civil Engagement group is separate from the "Independent group", a technical group long established within the Seanad.
Seanad technical groups do not mirror those in the Dáil; in the 32nd Dáil independents are split between government supporters and two technical groups while the Green Party is in a third technical group with the Social Democrats.
