An election to Seanad Éireann, the senate of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), followed the 1997 general election to the 28th Dáil.

The senators served until the close of poll for the 22nd Seanad at the end of July 2002.

On 17 September 1997, Brian Mullooly (FF) was proposed as Cathaoirleach by Donie Cassidy (FF) and seconded by Michael Finneran (FF).

43 Senators were elected on five vocational panels, 6 were elected from two university constituencies and 11 are nominated by the Taoiseach.

The following table shows the composition by party when the 21st Seanad first met on 17 September 1997.