The technology has created realistic images or movies of people in a range of compromising activities such as sexual acts or illegal behaviour.

Sitting councillors Thomas Mulligan and Finola Armstrong-Maguire have already announced they wouldn't be seeking re-election.

School teacher Maeve Reynolds is the party's sole candidate in Carrick after she was confirmed earlier this week.

Simon Harris is due to take the reins from Leo Varadkar next week after the Dáil's Easter break

He will be seeking a third term as a local councillor in the Ballymahon Municipal District.

His decision leaves Fine Gael seeking to have Maria Walsh re-elected and well known jockey Nina Carberry gaining a seat.

Some public representatives in Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon were split on who to back earlier today.

Both Fine Gael TDs in the Shannonside Region have rowed in behind Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.