Humphreys faces grilling by Dáil committee

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys has been asked to appear before an Oireachtas committee to answer questions on her appointment of Fine Gael’s Seanad by-election candidate to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma) board.

The Environment Committee, which has a sub-committee on Arts and the Gaeltacht, chaired by Labour TD Michael McCarthy, has written to Ms Humphreys as further questions emerged over her handling of the controversy.

Yesterday, the Irish Examiner reported a second person appointed to the Imma board along with Mr McNulty — historian Sheila O’Regan from Limerick — is a Fine Gael member. Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan confirmed to the Irish Examiner he recommended her to Ms Humphreys.