Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dismissed Fianna Fáil claims that he promised businessman John McNulty the Seanad byelection seat during a meeting at Lissadell House in Co Sligo four months ago.

Fianna Fáil Senator Mark Daly raised the ongoing controversy in the Seanad during a debate on the arts and culture.

Mr Daly said: “On the 20th June this year, the Taoiseach visited Sligo for the opening of Lissadell House. And during that visit I believe Mr McNulty met him with a delegation and that the issue of the Seanad byelection was discussed.

He asked for confirmation of the meeting and if Mr McNulty “was assured, despite the many torturous interviews that were held and the many people that were lobbying for the job and if at that particular meeting on the 20 June in Sligo, that the Taoiseach promised Mr McNulty this Seanad byelection seat for him”.

But dismissing the claim a spokesman for the Taoiseach said Mr Kenny attended Lissadell House on June 20th, “where he met and shook hands with many of the hundreds of guests in attendance”.