When he was first elected to the Dáil in 2011, John Halligan (60) became the first Independent TD in Waterford in more than 70 years. A committed constituency worker, he frequently raised local issues that of 10 impacted nationally, from the impact of supermarket prices on the cost of living to homelessness, mortgage interest rates and on occasion international issues. A well-regarded and personable member of the recently formed Independent Alliance, he was first elected to Waterford City Council in 1999 as a member of the Workers' Party but resigned in 2008. In 2009 he ran as an Independent and topped the poll in his local ward. He was mayor of the city in 2009 to 2010. The father of three is a former radio operator. – MARIE O'HALLORAN