Longstanding TD Brendan Smith has been a high-profile Fianna Fáil politician for decades, holding the seat since 1992 and serving as special advisor to the late Tánaiste John Wilson.

A native of Bawnboy, the 68-year-old lives in Cavan town giving him a strong personal vote in the west of the county.

Chairman of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, he was a vocal critic of Brexit and its impact on his border constituency.

He held a number of ministerial portfolios, including a three-year stint in agriculture when he faced a backlash over a decision in 2010 to use an EU scheme to provide free cheese to low-income families.

He also served as justice minister in 2011 as well as minister of state for food from 2004 to 2007 and minister of state for children in 2007.

A UCD arts graduate in politics and economics, Smith is a former chair of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary body.