Fine Gael Alan Dillon (42) was regarded as the heir apparent to former taoiseach Enda Kenny when the latter retired from politics in 2017.

Elected to the Dáil in 2020 on a modest first-preference vote of 5,198, Dillon’s star has risen steadily since then.

In this general election he recorded substantial success - with 9,517 first-preference votes, and he was the second candidate to be elected in the Mayo five-seater.

During the term of the 33rd Dáil, Dillon, a former Gaelic footballer, was promoted to the role of Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

He was a key member of the influential Public Accounts Committee, winning kudos for his grilling of the RTÉ board during the station’s pay controversy.

A native of Ballintubber, near Castlebar, Dillon played Gaelic football at the highest level.

Dillon is married to Ashling. The couple have two young children.