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Updated 7.55pm
ENDA KENNY HAS declined to name the Fine Gael official responsible for engineering the appointment of John McNulty to a state board without consulting party officials handling the Seanad nomination process.
Earlier, the Taoiseach told the Dáil that a Fine Gael official dealing with McNulty’s appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) did not consult an internal party sub-committee dealing with McNulty’s selection as the Fine Gael candidate for the Seanad by-election.
Kenny said he was “upset” that this had happened. The controversy has caused a huge political headache for the government and resulted in McNulty asking to be withdrawn from consideration by TDs and Senators voting in the by-election for the vacant Seanad seat.
This evening, Kenny has been facing his parliamentary party in Leinster House for the first time since the controversy broke over a week ago in what sources have said has been a largely “civilised” meeting.
In an attempt to defuse the issue, several TDs and Senators have called for calm and urged Fine Gael to move on. However, it’s understood that John Deasy and Sean Conlan, two TDs who have been heavily critical of the party in recent days, were critical of how the situation was handled. Senator Hildegarde Naughten was also said to have been critical.
Finance Minister Michael Noonan gave what was described as “the speech of the night” as he told colleagues that the focus must be on the improving economy and the Budget in 13 days.
Earlier this afternoon at a jobs announcement in Dublin this afternoon Kenny would not name the official responsible, saying they could be “pilloried” in the media.
“Well the staff of Fine Gael are the same as the staff of any other political party and clearly people can be pilloried in the public media if any names are mentioned,” he told a press conference.
“These are ordinary staff who work for the Fine Gael party, same as staff in my own office of the Taoiseach and obviously I’ve taken the rap for all of this, I’ve put my hand up, accepted responsibility.
“I’ve apologised for the entire process and not only that I’m doing something about it now.”
Kenny said that he has taken away authority from Fine Gael headquarters for candidate selections and added that he regrets not acting more quickly on this decision, which had been agreed at the Fine Gael think-in last month.
Kenny also said he is “changing the structure” and “the internal mechanics of the way we do our business” within Fine Gael.
He also said that from 1 November all public appointments will be advertised on a dedicated website and candidates to be appointed by the relevant minister will be vetted by the Public Appointments Service.
“I accepted responsibility for a system that’s flawed where people were appointed to state boards in the past that it could lead to a perception that it’s all political cronyism,” the Taoiseach added.
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The Labour party, always well meaning in opposition, talk the talk until the get in to government the wou6 make any right wing party proud .
How do I run for the election? I could do with a 6 figure salary and absolutely no consequences for telling lies or doing anything wrong in my job. #VoteMe
@TheMinisterForCraic: and expenses so you can buy lunch for your cronies without needing receipts!
@Tessa Madden: I’ll buy everyone who votes for me lunch. I’ll also promise you anything you want just for your vote. Then when I get in I’ll do whatever I want in terms of decisions, I’ll ignore all of the promises I said and I’ll fill my pockets as much as I can in this short time in charge because I couldn’t careless about the future of Ireland, the future of my own family is all I care about it. #VoteMe
@TheMinisterForCraic: not to mention a fat pension for life after the gravy train reaches the terminus.
Ivana Back? Is she new, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of her or of her having an opinion no one asked.
@This time its personable!: Poor Ivana. God love her. She should cop on and get a real job.
Jesus labour are the gift that keep on giving ha. Alan Kelly in charge and all of a sudden then thobk they have a conscience. Would make ya possibly get them your No.4 vote. Almost. God love her hasn’t a hope and either do FG on retaining the seat, with their voice of a generation ( with supreme Court parents and grandparents) candidate. Both really understand the working man
Another Has Been
@pat seery: you have to be someone to start with before you become a has been…
@pat seery: Very poor grammar. “Another was”.
@Paul Jude Redmond: A neverwasser
If people don’t get out and vote, nothing will change.
@Jules:
Vote for who?
@The Grand Nagus: whoever you choose, but vote. The generally low turnout of voters perpetuates the poor standard of government
@Jules: no it’s the candidates that perpetuates the poor stand of government!
@JongaFe: it’s both
Can’t stand listening to her, still trying to get into Government hopefully not a hope
Labour’s vision of Ireland became FGs version of Ireland when in government. Reduced to six seats , thats when they discovered the road to Damascus moment..
Just a question. Has Ivana won a “popular vote” election in the past?
Some people just can’t take no for an answer
Serial loser going to lose another election.
Another well heeled socialist.. Like Mickey D’s daughter, if you can’t win a real election take a handy number in the Senate spouting oh so progressive platitudes that mean nothing. Our political class are useless. Bacik offers nothing only soundbites for affluent liberals. Labour lost touch with working people a long time ago.
There hasn’t been a good leader of the Labour Party since Dick Spring, Ivana puts her name forward in every election that arises, seanad, council, presidentdency and now have another go at becoming a TD, which she has done enough time and not be elected, this by-election is in constituency where I live, personally I can’t see her been elected, certainly not by residents who live in the working class areas such as myself.
Zzzzzzzz
You have to hopes no hope and Bob hope
Absolutely useless person. Chocolate teapot springs to mind. Never forget labour cutting the ribbon on a soup kitchen.
Bacik has never been elected. That is not going to change.
As she takes a 70,000eur a year salary from taxpayers for her unelected position of senator, she can properly be regarded as a thief.
The Seanad is a stain on Irish democracy.
Bacik is too smart for her own good. Lacks personality. You would never win an arguement against her. Pity as she got bags of potential.
@Rob Jones: if she was that great she wouldn’t have failed to be elected in any of her 3 previous attempts at a Dail seat.
@Rob Jones: Being an excellent lawyer doesn’t make her a good public representative. She should stick to law and teaching. She has no chance. Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.
@Paul Whitehead: “Labour is a dead party to the working class after IPhone-Joan.” Don’t forget Alan Kelly and Eamon ‘Labour’s way or Frankfort’s Way’ Gilmore. No way Labour…Just go away.
@Billy Big Baws: the comment about her name is uncalled for. It’s a Czech name i think
A health and welfare service from CABLE to the grave ??? So when does this service become available?
Bacik is head and shoulders in intellect above most Irish politicians which means of course she’s never elected. I’m amazed she’s never got in somewhere. I’d vote for her if I was in DB South. I don’t always agree with her but at least she has ideas
Whatever your views on the Labour Party Ivana Bacik is a good opreator with a long track record on social issues and would be a great addition to the Dáil. She does not deserve the negativity on show in these comments.
Any prospective candidate talking about house prices from this constituency smacks of hypocrisy.
@Billy Big Baws: Igno rant, rac ist lo ut.
She does know and remember labours vision changes when they get into government..what was it… labours way not frankfurts way
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