The Government has defended itself against criticism after promised corrective action on gender balance failed to materialise in the appointment of junior ministers.

Government leaders decide on junior minister appointments this week, but the names are unlikely to assuage doubts after accusations of misogyny when the Cabinet was announced last week.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will meet with political leaders on Tuesday on his first visit to Belfast following the formation of the new government in Dublin. Mr Harris said a visit north was a top priority after being confirmed as the foreign affairs minister,

The first woman to be elected Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Verona Murphy, will host a celebration at Leinster House today to mark the approaching St Brigid's bank holiday weekend - named after Ireland's first female patron saint.

The election of taoiseach (Irish prime minister) has been delayed after the Dáil (lower house of Irish parliament) was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the delay has been "premeditated, coordinated and a choreographed" position by the opposition and in particular Sinn Féin.

The Taoiseach was speaking as members of his Fine Gael party met in Dublin to begin the process of ratifying the draft programme for government

The audit was commissioned by OPW Chairman John Conlon following public outrage over the cost of the structure, which was branded “inexplicable and inexcusable” by then-Taoiseach Simon Harris

Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin has been elected taoiseach (Irish prime minister) for the second time after chaos in the Dáil (lower house of Irish Parliament) subsided. The Dáil was suspended several times on Wednesday after a bitter row between government and opposition parties.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. Mr Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States at a ceremony inside the Capitol in Washington DC this afternoon. In a statement, Mr Harris said he wished Mr Trump "every success in his term-in-office".

Ireland's political leaders have responded to Wednesday night's tragic plane crash in Washington, DC, the deadliest in the US since November 2001.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will meet with political leaders ... I visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions as Taoiseach last year and intend to be a regular visitor in the time ahead.

Harris's pre-election appearance on the podcast saw the two Johnnies ask him several personal questions, such as does he and his wife split the household chores his family's shopping habits, to which Harris answers "the supermarket is a grand canvas when pushing around the trolley".