Geography, not gender, won out in ministerial appointments

Of the 38 members of the Dáil who now hold a ministerial position, nine are women

On the Fine Gael side, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill's promotion came as Heather Humphreys retired, making herself and Helen McEntee the two seniors. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Gender and geography.

The two most vexing questions for party leaders as they dole out party and government positions.