Malcolm Byrne’s first stint in the Dáil was short-lived.

He had been elected a TD in the November 2019 Wexford byelection to fill the vacancy left by independent Mick Wallace’s election to the European Parliament.

But he missed out in the February 2020 general election, after running as the second Fianna Fáil candidate.

Since April 2020, has been a senator serving as his party’s spokesman on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Before national politics he served as a local councillor for 20 years after being first elected in 1999 at the age of 25.

From Gorey, Co Wexford, Mr Byrne has worked as executive director of Screen Producers Ireland and was head of communications with the Higher Education Authority for 12 years.

The 50-year-old has run 38 marathons. He said housing will be at the top of his agenda in the Dáil.