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,

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. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris are set to confirm the names for 18 junior minister jobs.

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

Mr Harris said he and Mr Benn discussed repealing and replacing the Legacy Act as well as commitments under the newly formed Irish Government.

Ireland's next programme for Government will now be subject to approval by the party memberships over the coming days. Who will be Ireland's next Taoiseach?

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".

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".

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal following “15 months of immense human suffering and destruction”. Mr Harris said he hoped the deal will now receive the formal approval of the Israeli government.

Micheal Martin has said he is “thankful” to his supporters after he received the backing of the Irish parliament to be nominated as the country’s next premier. Parliamentarians voted 95 to 76 in support of the nomination of the Fianna Fail leader, the day after a chaotic row disrupted the process and resulted in the suspension of the Dail.

Fine Gael members held a regional meeting on Friday night in Dublin days after the draft programme for government was agreed.