Forty-two of the 60 Seanad members have incomes apart from their senators' salaries, according to this year's annual declaration under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
The incomes come from various sources including pub ownership, farming, auctioneering, consultancies and company directorships. A number of senators are still drawing income from teaching jobs, paying substitute teachers from their salaries.
Under the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, all TDs and senators must make annual declarations of income, company directorships and shareholdings, travel benefits, gifts, and property holdings over a certain value. The latest declarations are for the year ending January 31st, 2000.
The Fianna Fail senator, Mr Des Hanafin, has acquired shares in Eircom and First Active since last year when he had no share portfolio.
His party colleague, Mr Don Lydon, declared that he had a small field in Killybegs, Co Donegal, and a house in Nenagh, Co Tipperary. However, he said these were not used for anything. "They're just there," he stated.
Independent senator Mr Joe O'Toole declared an income from his position as general secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.
The property portfolio of Independent senator Mr Shane Ross appears to have diminished since last year. In that declaration he listed four properties, stating that they were jointly owned with his wife. This year the only listing was a property on Anglesea Road in Dublin, which is rented.
However, his shares portfolio has increased. Last year he declared shares in mining company Arcon plc, but added to that now was Heiton Holdings plc, Warrants & Value Investment Trust plc (a Scottish company in which he is a non-executive chairman) and Eircom plc.
Full register of senators' interests on Ireland.com