Despite predictions of his electoral doom Mick Barry (55) retained the Dáil seat his was first elected to in 2016 on his fourth attempt.

A member of a number of left-wing parties in his political career, he was among 12 members expelled from the Labour Party in 1989. He became a member of the Socialist Party and then a founding member of the Anti-Austerity Alliance, before the formation of Solidarity-People Before Profit group.

Born in Ohio in the US, he lived in Dublin before moving to Cork in 1991. First elected to Cork City Council in 2004, he held his seat until his election to the Dáil. He rose to public prominence through his involvement in the high-profile anti-bin-tax and anti-water-charges campaigns. In the Dáil he has been a prolific and often provocative and impassioned speaker.

He has focused on issues including poor public services provision, the housing crisis and home repossessions, the health service and Government policy on corporation and bank taxes.