Excluding those who have resigned their seat to take up another political position or ill-health, there have been just a handful of resignations from parliament over principle or controversy down the years. Who are they? And why have there been so few?
Undone by sex scandals, economic failures, uprisings and other controversies, an astonishing number of high-profile figures resigned from their various posts in the past 12 months.
FRANCE HAS BECOME the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law today following months of bitter political debate.
In Ireland last month, 79 per cent of delegates at the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of same-sex marriage but the Government will hold off on a referendum until next year despite the overwhelming support.
It comes two years after the legalisation of Civil Partnership.
Is another year too long for a referendum on gay marriage? Or, are you opposed to the idea entirely?
So today, we want to know what do you think. Would you welcome the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland today, similar to France?