Kenny denies all blame for Seanad ‘stroke’

The Taoiseach has moved to contain the political fallout from the botched handling of the Seanad by-election after coming under sustained criticism from the Fine Gael backbenches.

Enda Kenny distanced himself from the decision to appoint Fine Gael’s Seanad nominee to the board of a national art gallery, saying it was the responsibility of his arts minister, Heather Humphreys.

He was speaking after Waterford TD John Deasy said people are “disgusted” with how Fine Gael is being run and complained of a “destructive atmosphere” in the parliamentary party.