Justice Minister Helen McEntee is working her final day today before going on maternity leave.
It's a historic first for the state, with Helen McEntee becoming the first sitting government Minister to go on maternity leave.
She is to take six months' leave with Minister Heather Humphreys to temporarily take over her brief.
Helen McEntee revealed that she didn't find out the sex of the baby and is instead keeping it a surprise.
Maternity leave is not currently available to elected officials such as TDs or senators.
Minister McEntee says she's hopeful her arrangement will pave the way for future politicians:
"It's really important that women see other women in roles and positions being able to take maternity leave, being able to return to their jobs and return to the positions that they were working in before.
And obviously most importantly what I hope to see in the future is that this won't just apply to me, but that other ministers, other TDs, Senators, counsellors would be able to avail of maternity leave in the same way that currently doesn't exist."
