The Arts Minister has defended appointing a former Fine Gael election candidate to a state board – even though he didn't apply for the position.
Minister Heather Humphreys appointed Donegal council candidate John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art – a position he's now using to campaign for a seat in the Seanad.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Arts said Minister Humphreys isn't required to follow an open appointments process – and can appoint outside candidates, even if they aren't among the people applying for state positions.