Byelection candidates: who is in the running

Roscommon- South Leitrim

Maura Hopkins (FG):

The occupational therapist is unlikely to win but will position herself well for a future Dáil run.

Ivan Connaughton (FF): Victory for the auctioneer would be a much need fillip for Fianna Fáil. A loss would be a disaster for Mícheál Martin.

Martin Kenny (SF): The councillor's performance will be watched to see how Sinn Féin polls in rural areas.

John Kelly (LAB): Mr Kelly, a Senator, is well liked and will hope for a creditable performance.

Michael Fitzmaurice (IND): The agricultural contractor and turf-cutting candidate is the main rival to Mr Connaughton.

Emmet Corcoran (IND): 22-year-old entrepreneur runs a website which helps people find work.

John McDermott (IND): The hospital action committee candidate was involved in scuffle with Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan during the campaign.

Gerry O'Boyle (IND): A "Land League West" candidate, Mr O'Boyle is a publican who lives in Castlerea.

Tom Crosby (IND): Mr Crosby, an Independent Roscommon councillor, lives in Tarmonbarry.

Des Guckian (IND): Another Independent councillor, Mr Guckian is based in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim.

Dublin South West

Cathal King: (SF): The county councillor is seen as the favourite, due of his track record and the strength of the Sinn Féin brand.

Cáit Keane (FG): A Senator, Ms Keane is likely to be in a chasing pack behind Mr King and Mr Murphy.

John Lahart (FF): Mr Lahart, a councillor and businessman, will hope to prepare the ground for the next general election.

Pamela Kearns (LAB): A councillor who operates a preschool service in Templeogue, Ms Kearns is unlikely to become the third Labour TD for the constituency.

Paul Murphy (AAA): The former MEP has made a late surge by tackling Sinn Féin on water charges.

Nicky Coules (PBP): Another councillor, Mr Coules is campaigning against water charges and has even posted a video on his website showing how meters can be removed.

Frances Noel Duffy (GP): Cllr Duffy, an architecture lecturer, has urged voters and candidates to look past water charges and include other issues in the campaign.

Ronan McMahon (IND): The former Fine Gaeler, running as an Independent, has the backing of Lucinda Creighton.

Tony Rochford (IND): Formerly self-employed in the construction sector, Mr Rochford previously chained himself to his bank to demand a meeting.

Declan Burke (IND): The 21-year-old opposes water charges and property tax and wants to "stand up for young people . . . left with no options but to emigrate".

Colm O'Keeffe (IND): Mr O'Keeffe is campaigning for people to have a choice of two civil marriages, one which can be dissolved by the courts and ones which cannot.