The dramatic developments came just hours after Taoiseach SethONeill announced plans to hold a national referendum on the future of the Seanad during a government press conference at Augustine House in County Monaghan.
According to reports from RTÉ News, the sitting descended into confusion as senators clashed over voting procedures and the government’s proposals.
A newly formed faction opposing the abolition of the Seanad had also emerged earlier in the evening, signalling organised resistance to the government’s plans.
The referendum bill has reportedly been shelved following the rejection, casting uncertainty over whether the government will proceed with its proposed constitutional reforms.
Anti-abolition faction formed as opposition grows
Earlier in the evening, RTÉ News reported that a new faction had formed within the Seanad specifically to oppose the government’s proposed abolition of the chamber.
The group subsequently released a statement setting out its position, although its full contents have not been independently verified by BBC News.
The emergence of the faction suggests that opposition to the Taoiseach’s constitutional proposals has become increasingly organised within the upper house.
The Seanad has become the centre of a political dispute following the government’s proposal to abolish the chamber. Illustrative photograph.
Shouting and confusion during parliamentary sitting
The Seanad sitting was reportedly marked by heated exchanges between members, with RTÉ News describing scenes of chaos and confusion surrounding voting and legislative procedure.
Senators were reported to have shouted over one another as disagreements intensified.
At approximately 21:50, RTÉ News reported that the proposed constitutional amendment had been rejected and that the referendum bill had been shelved.
The precise voting figures and the procedural basis for the decision have not yet been confirmed.
The rejection represents a significant setback for the Taoiseach’s plans, which were announced only hours earlier.
Taoiseach accused of heckling opposition senators
Further controversy emerged following allegations about the Taoiseach’s conduct during the sitting.
According to accounts attributed by RTÉ News to members of the Seanad, SethONeill entered the chamber floor on multiple occasions and allegedly heckled opposition senators.
The reported interruptions prompted angry exchanges between members, although the precise words used during the incidents have not been established.
BBC News has not independently verified the allegations, and no response from the Taoiseach has been provided in the material available.
Government senators walk out before being suspended
The confrontation escalated further when government senators reportedly walked out of the chamber during proceedings.
RTÉ News subsequently reported that the Cathaoirleach, the presiding officer of the Seanad, had taken disciplinary action against the government members, describing them as having been “striked”.
It remains unclear whether this amounted to a formal suspension, a disciplinary warning or another procedural sanction under the rules governing the sitting.
The incident has raised further questions about the breakdown in relations between government and opposition members during the debate.
BBC News will continue to follow developments and seek further clarification from the government and parliamentary authorities following tonight’s events.