Pressure on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to address gender balance with junior ministries 

New Cabinet has just three female senior ministers

Social Democrats Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore hit out at the gender balance of the new Cabinet: '51% of the population are women and I think the Taoiseach needs to take that into account,' kshe said. Picture: Alan Rowlette/Rolling News

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are under pressure to address government gender balance concerns, as 23 junior ministers are to be appointed today.

There has been widespread criticism of the gender balance of the Cabinet in recent days after just three women were named as senior ministers last week.