Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that she is expecting a baby, making her the first cabinet member in the history of the State to announce she is pregnant while in office.
A spokesperson for the minister said that she and her husband Paul Hickey were delighted to be expecting their first child, due in May 2021.
Ms McEntee made the announcement on social media, saying: "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... Last Christmas as a duo though #babyonboard #excited".
The spokesperson also said that "the minister will take a period of maternity leave next year to care for their baby".
However, it is unclear how this would work as TDs are not entitled to paid maternity leave.
The Dáil has previously heard that TDs needed a sick cert to take time off when having a baby.
