There were heated exchanges in the Dáil today as the Government parties were criticised by the Opposition over the appointment of a Fine Gael Seanad byelection nominee to a State board.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald raised the matter of John McNulty’s appointment with Tánaiste Joan Burton, saying it appeared to be a case of jobs for the boys.
Ms McDonald said it appeared that at least the Taoiseach regarded the use of State appointments as an appropriate way to bolster the qualification of his candidate ahead of the byelection.
Mr McNulty, a Donegal Fine Gael member, was appointed to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) days before he was chosen to stand for the byelection caused by the election of former party Senator Deirdre Clune to the European parliament.
Ms Burton said nominating a candidate for the Seanad byelection was a matter for Fine Gael, its leader and members.
"It is not a matter for the Labour party,'' she added.
Ms McDonald said: “So, Tánaiste, given the stink of cronyism that hangs around this turn of events, will the Labour party fall behind Fine Gael once and support Mr McNulty’s nomination ?’’ she added.
“Do you support An Taoiseach in the actions he has taken and will your Labour party colleagues be supporting and indeed voting for Mr McNulty ?’’
During Ms Burton’s reply, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said there was a longstanding practice in the House that the business of the Seanad ought not to be discussed in the Dáil. However, he had allowed latitude because it was Opposition leaders’ questions.
Ms Burton said Ms McDonald had no right to direct people of any party or none as to how they were going to cast their secret ballot. “And it is quite impertinent of you to suggest how members of the Dail and Seanad….it is fine if you do that to your members via your own processes..,’’ she added.
The Tánaiste said she accepted the practice whereby the Seanad nomination fell to the party which had the vacancy.
When Ms Burton said that Ms McDonald had also raised questions about the IMMA appointment, Mr Barrett said that she was over her allocated time for a reply and should resume her seat.
“That matter has been dealt with,’’ said Mr Barrett.
Ms Burton sat down.
