Article 18 of the Constitution of Ireland provides that 43 of the 60 senators are to be elected from five vocational panels.
The Cultural and Educational Panel is defined in Article 18.7.1° (i) as "National Language and Culture, Literature, Art, Education and such professional interests as may be defined by law for the purpose of this panel".
[1] The Seanad returning officer maintains a list of nominating bodies for each of the five panels.
[3][4] The electorate consists of city and county councillors and current members of the Oireachtas.
As the Seanad election takes place after the election to the Dáil, the Oireachtas members are the members of the incoming Dáil and the outgoing Seanad.