Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have rejected suggestions that the Coalition leaders have failed when it comes to ensuring gender equality in their ministerial appointments.

Micheál Martin has defended Michael Lowry’s role in government formation talks, claiming Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had no choice but to deal with the Regional Independents. At a tense press conference on Sunday after his party had backed the arrangement,

Here was Fianna Fáil back again as the largest party in government after looking to be on the verge of oblivion 15 years ago. Buttressed by the Regional Independent Group (RIG) providing a solid majority,

Irish lawmakers have voted to make veteran politician Micheál Martin prime minister for a second time at the helm of a coalition government.

With a new government comes a new raft of new ministers, and since the Green Party has left the field, more positions are up for grabs now

Renewing her criticism of the deal with Independents behind the formation of the new Government, Ms McDonald said Mr Martin had changed from once describing Michael Lowry TD, key negotiator for the Independents, as a “rogue politician” to now making him a “kingmaker”.

Micheál Martin, who was poised to be elected as Ireland's new Taoiseach today, slammed the chaotic Dáil proceedings as a "subversion of the Irish Constitution."

Fianna Fáil set to have 8 Cabinet seats and 7 will go to Fine Gael with Micheal Martin becoming next Taoiseach

Crazy stuff and again shows the priorities of FF/FG. The voting on the nomination ... A day later than expected, the Dáil has elected Micheal Martin as Taoiseach by 95 votes to 76, writes Pat ...

A spokesman for Tánaiste Simon Harris said that Fine Gael had 10 women out of 38 TDs elected, and 40 per cent – four women – had been appointed Ministers. There is considerable backlash within the Government parties – but particularly within Fianna Fáil – around the number of female appointments to the ranks of Minister of State.

Women junior Ministers were placed in the front row at the Leinster House photocall but it fooled no one, as just six of the 23 appointees are women

Mary Butler (58) has been appointed Government Chief Whip and Super Junior Minister.