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,

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

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."

Only one Minister in the outgoing government has kept their old position as Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced a major reshuffle of his Cabinet. In sweeping changes that saw former Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue dropped, several surprises saw six new senior ministers appointed.

A BAN on selling energy drinks to kids, childcare for €200 a month, and more funding to tackle scoliosis surgery waiting lists are part of a family-focused plan for the country over the next five

Irish lawmakers have voted to make veteran politician Micheál Martin prime minister for a second time, leading a coalition government

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”.

Fianna Fáil leader Martin will become Taoiseach this afternoon for the second time as the new Government is formed

The Dail meets today for the nomination of Taoiseach - but won't sit again next week despite the formation of a new government

Only three of the 15 Ministers are women: Helen McEntee, Jennier Carroll MacNeill and Norma Foley, which makes for a ratio of 80:20 of men to women. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has said it is “deeply disappointing” that the number of women in cabinet has reduced by 25 per cent to just three.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said there were the same number of Ministers with the name James as there were women