Michael McDowell is an Independent Senator and a practising Senior Counsel. He was elected to Seanad Éireann, the Irish Senate, by the graduates of the National University of Ireland in 2016, and re-elected in 2020 and 2025 when he topped the poll securing the highest ever vote in the NUI constituency. In 2024, Senator McDowell played a leading national role in the opposing campaign in the Government’s Family and Care referendums, leading to a resounding victory for the No-No campaign.

He serves on the Oireachtas Justice Committee, is Deputy Chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and Chairman of its Finance Committee. He is a member of the Special Committee on Implementation of EU Directives, the Committee on Members Interests and the Committee on Procedure Privilege and Oversight.  He is a member of the Seanad Independent Group, the largest opposition group in Seanad Éireann. This group comprises senators who co-operate while remaining completely independent and free of the whip system.

He was Attorney General of Ireland from 1999- 2002, served as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2002 – 2007 and as Tánaiste from 2006 – 2007.