A snapshot of Ireland's Independent TDs

From a former stockbroker to a pro-cannabis campaigner, the Independent TDs in the next Dáil are a diverse bunch.

Here are the new and returning non-party TDs.

::Shane Ross (Dublin South):

An independent Senator and journalist, he has been an outspoken critic of overspending in the public service. A former stockbroker, he used Freedom of Information to expose an expenses scandal at the state training agency Fas.

He topped the poll with over 17,000 first preference votes.

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::Mick Wallace (Wexford)

A property developer-turned-politician and a former local football manager. Easily recognisable for his bushy blonde hair. Was regarded a shoo-in in his home county to take a seat.

Before attending the count centre he went to a football match involving local team Wexford Youths.

“You have to get your priorities in order,” he later said.

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::Luke ’Ming’ Flanagan (Roscommon/South Leitrim)

The colourful and controversial county councillor, best known for his long-running campaign to legalise cannabis. He’s switching burning weed, to burning the bondholders.

He sports a pony tail and pointed-goatee, resembling the comic strip badguy, Ming the Merciless.

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::Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South):

The former rebel Fianna Fáil backbencher declared he would be standing as an independent last month, claiming the party had protected the rich and hurt everyone else.

He was expelled from the parliamentary party last June for voting against the Government on the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010, which banned stag hunting with dogs.

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::Michael Lowry (Tipperary North)

The former Fine Gael politician helped prop up the previous Fianna Fáil-led administration. But he threatened to derail its controversial budget plans last month, forcing the Government to make last minute changes.

He topped the poll in the 1997, 2002 and 2007 general elections in his Tipperary North constituency. He was probed by a tribunal investigating payments to politicians over the awarding of a mobile phone licence.

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::Finian McGrath (Dublin Central)

Mr McGrath backed the government until October 2008 when he withdrew his support over the ending of free health care for the over 70s and cuts in education.

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::Maureen O’Sullivan (Dublin Central)

Was elected to the Dáil in a by-election after the death of the popular vote-getter, Tony Gregory.

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::John Halligan (Waterford)

Served as mayor of Waterford in 2009/2010. He was first elected to Waterford City Council in 1999.

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::Seamus Healy (Tipperary South)

First elected in a by-election in June 2000. Held his seat in 2002 but lost out in 2007.

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::Catherine Murphy (Kildare North)

Currently a member of Kildare County Council, she was elected to the Dáil for Kildare North in a 2005 by-election, but lost her seat in 2007.

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::Thomas Pringle (Donegal South-West)

Ran unsuccessfully as an Independent in the 2002 general election and the 2010 by-election. Stood in the same constituency that saw outgoing Tánaiste Mary Coughlan lose her seat.