The former art teacher has served two previous terms for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency, successfully defending her seat since 2016.

Smyth’s family is steeped in Fianna Fáil history – her grand-uncle Paddy Smyth was the longest sitting minister in the history of the State with 54 years of service.

The 48-year-old mother-of-one (her daughter, Julia, is eight-years-old) entered local politics in 2009, serving on Cavan County Council until 2016.

From Knockbride in Co Cavan, Smith came to prominence when she was appointed chair of the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht in 2020.

She was also president of the party’s women’s network and has pushed for improvements to encourage more women to stay in politics.

The party’s spokesperson on Arts and Culture, she previously worked as an arts and education officer for the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board.

Her family last year commemorated 100 years since Paddy Smyth was sentenced to death and imprisoned in Belfast for ‘high treason’ after being found guilty of disloyalty to the British Queen