Poll-topper David Cullinane (50) once again showed himself be a prodigious vote-getter in Waterford constituency though his first preference votes were down on 2020.
First elected to the Dáil in 2016, Cullinane previously served in the Seanad from 2011-2016.
The father of two boys, Emmet and Finn, he is married to Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion.
He is a long-time campaigner on health and public services in the Southeast, particularly on cancer, cardiac and palliative care. He has been an advocate for 24/7 emergency cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford, which after housing dominated the election campaign.
He has also strongly supported expansion plans for Waterford Airport, the regeneration of Waterford’s North Quays fronting onto the River Suir, establishing a university for the southeast, expansion of Waterford Port and developing offshore energy.
He has been the Sinn Féin spokesman on health since July 2020. He was previously spokesman on public expenditure and reform; on Brexit, and on climate action and communications. Previously, he served on Waterford City Council and in the Seanad from 2011 to 2016. If Sinn Féin are in the next government, they are likely to push for him to be Minister for Health.