Sinn Féin's Brian Stanley has retained his seat for the third time, having first been elected in the 2011 election.

Stanley (59) has been a spokesman on the environment and local government, as well as agriculture and rural and community development throughout his career to date.

During the last Dáil, he was vocal in his opposition to the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal, the proposed four-fold increase in carbon tax and the cost of the national broadband plan.

Originally from Borris-in-Ossory but now based in Portlaoise, Stanley previously served as a member of Laois County Council and held the roles of council vice-chairman as well as mayor of the now-defunct Portlaoise Town Council.

In the most recent Dáil he was a member of a number of Oireachtas committees, including rural community and development, and agriculture, food and the marine.

His Sinn Féin party profile states that he maintains a "direct involvement in the ongoing campaign for Irish independence and all-Ireland integration".