Murley is one of several changes to the last England side that faced Japan in the autumn, but the headline change is the use of a 6:2 split on the bench. Maro Itoje era begins as

Fine Gael has held the first of five regional meetings with party members over the Programme for Government document.

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

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,

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

The guaranteed salary of the Ministers of State will be €159,525, rising to €172,670 for Super Junior Ministers who attend cabinet.

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.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised what her party has said is a lack of women in the new Cabinet.

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”.

Gerry Hutch, also known as The Monk, has lodged his papers to stand in the General Election in Dublin Central.