Catherine Byrne turned 60 on election day. The Inchicore woman, a forthright speaker on issues from the lone parent allowance to water charges, has garnered praise and sharp criticism for her belief in the need for people to "take responsibility" for their own lives.

On one occasion she spoke of those who refused to pay their water charges but then bought beer and cigarettes. In another contribution she made a moving appeal for people to take out organ donor cards as she recalled the death of her brother-in-law, whose organs were subsequently donated.

A mother of five, she was first elected to the Dáil in 2007, having served as Lord Mayor of Dublin the previous year, and having been a polltopping councillor.