Tanaiste Joan Burton said people appointed to State boards should go through the process of applying through the Public Appointments Commission.

The minister was responding to questions about the controversy over the appointment of Fine Gael Seanad nominee John McNulty to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

The appointment came six days before his nomination for a place on the Seanad Cultural and Education panel.

The move was criticised as cronyism by opposition politicians who claim the appointment was made to bolster his credentials for a seat on the panel.

Labour leader in the Seanad Ivana Bacik has strongly condemned it.

The Tanaiste and Labour leader said today that it was a matter for Fine Gael but said her position and absolute preference was for people being nominated for State boards should apply through the public appointments process.

"That is the best way of approaching things like appointments and that us what I have employed"

Meanwhile Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan, another Labour minister, said there was a need to revise the way public appointments are made and called for more transparency in the process.

Online Editors