Seanad seats are the same as Dáil seats: in principle they are filled promptly in the lifetime of the Oireachtas, but it can be dragged out if the government so decides. Traditionally, once the Dáil is dissolved, Seanad seats are not filled before the Seanad election, but Brian Cowen broke with that tradition while he was still Taoiseach. Personally, I hope the Seanad will be abolished in the lifetime of this government, but that is not a matter for the infobox.