It's been a “change” election in so many ways, but one certainty we cling to is that we’re stuck in the same old territory when it comes to the election of women to the Dáil.

New rules require they make up at least 30% of a party's ticket, with those not meeting the quota having their funding halved.

Ireland compares poorly with the rest of Europe on maternity leave, paternity leave and work/life balance policies, an international family leave expert has said.

A senior member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has questioned whether Irish laws on smacking mean parents can be good role models for their children.