The Health Minister Simon Harris and his wife Caoimhe have become parents.

The baby girl was born on Friday.

Writing on his official Instagram account earlier, Mr Harris said: "Today I take on my most important job - Dad!

"Caoimhe and I are delighted to welcome our beautiful little daughter into the world. Name to follow!

"So happy. Who knew you could be so bowled over and blown away".

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

Today I take on my most important job - Dad! Caoimhe and I are delighted to welcome our beautiful little daughter into the world. Name to follow! So happy. Who knew you could be so bowled over and blown away #itsagirl #prouddad #surreal #baby #happy

A post shared by Simon Harris (@simonharristd) on Jan 18, 2019 at 1:25am PST

Initially not giving a name, Mr Harris later said the couple settled on 'Saoirse' - the Irish word for 'freedom'.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

We have settled on her name 😀. Meet our beautiful baby girl, Saoirse #babygirl #babynames #decisionmade #1stbaby #welcome

A post shared by Simon Harris (@simonharristd) on Jan 18, 2019 at 4:48am PST

In a small twist, Mr Harris' daughter shares a birthday with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

Mr Varadkar is marking his 40th birthday.

???????WATCH: On the Taoiseach's birthday, we take a look at how @campaignforleo's candle counting compares to his peers. pic.twitter.com/QMcEMaqkxX

— Newstalk (@NewstalkFM) January 18, 2019