Humphreys: McNulty affair is a 'Fine Gael matter', won't name officials

The Arts Minister has refused to reveal who within Fine Gael asked her to consider John McNulty for a place on the IMMA board.

Heather Humphreys said she appointed Mr. Mc Nulty because of his skillset and regional balance he could bring to the organisation and says she takes 'full responsibility' for it.

Minister Humphreys has come under renewed questioning about the Seanad by-election candidate following last night's Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, at which members were told to move on from the controversy.

But she refused to name the Fine Gael official who suggested the candidate.

"John McNulty's name was mentioned to me, I looked at his credentials," she said. "I'm not at liberty to say who mentioned his name to me, because that's a Fine Gael matter.

"I got his CV, I looked at it, I assessed it, and I take full responsibility for appointing him to the board of IMMA."

Meanwhile, the Tánaiste launched an attack on Sinn Féin, accusing the party of double standards for not taking responsibility for the "Disappeared".

Joan Burton said she accepts the explanation of the Taoiseach and his apology over the John McNulty affair.

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald accused her of evasion and silence on stroke politics.

But the Tánaiste says Enda Kenny's acceptance of wrongdoing is not replicated in Sinn Féin following the discovery of the body of Brendan Megraw in a Co Meath bog yesterday.

"The action of the Taoiseach of this country in taking responsibility … is in marked contrast to the absence of your own leader in relation to a very young man who has spent a very long time in a lonely grave."