First-time political candidate Brian Brennan has taken a seat for Fine Gael in the general election. Mr Brennan lives in Gorey, Co Wexford, but is well known across the county border from doing business in Arklow, south Co Wicklow.

He took over from his father running the 64 pub and restaurant in Gorey before going on to operate the Arklow Bay Hotel and the Brennan Hotel Group for some 20 years. The hotel group employed more than 600 people. He now runs a hospitality consultancy business.

Mr Brennan founded the Ireland Sri Lanka Orphanage Fund after an earthquake and tsunami caused devastation in the region in 2004. He overseas the running of five orphanages in the south Asian country from Ireland.

Entering politics at the age of 59, he said he brings a business perspective and life experience. He said he wants to help local businesses and improve care of older people and the lives of people with disabilities.

He has two young children.