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

The two Government parties were expected to move to improve the ratio of women when naming the junior minister positions, but just three new names emerged on Wednesday - Fine Gael’s Emer Higgins along with Fianna Fáil’s Niamh Smyth and Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.

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.

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

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members have voted to ratify the draft Programme for Government that will see both parties form a coalition government

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.

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

The Cabinet has formally ratified the Programme for Government, following a meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin last night.

No senior Minster and Taoiseach Micheál Martin drops Seán Fleming as junior minister with Offaly also out in the cold

Committee to consider wording of a new amendment to Dáil rules to break gridlock over ongoing row around Regional Independent Group