The government has been defeated in the Seanad in a vote over appointments to State boards.

The defeat means Arts Minister Heather Humphreys will have to explain why the Fine Gael candidate for a Seanad by-election was appointed to a State board.

John McNulty - who is set to be elected to the Seanad next month - was made a director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art two weeks ago.

Just six days later, Mr McNulty cited his new position as grounds to be elected to the Seanad's Cultural panel.

Ms Humphreys is expected in the Seanad to defend her position later this evening.

Earlier, a spokeswoman for the Department of Arts said Ms Humphreys is not required to follow an open appointments process, and can appoint outside candidates even if they are not among the people applying for state positions.

Mr McNulty was given the unpaid role by his party colleague Minister Humphreys just six days before filing the paperwork to run for the seat on the Seanad's Cultural Panel, which requires candidates to have experience in the cultural arena.

In a statement Ms Humphreys' department said the board of directors needs to have regional and gender balance, and that Mr McNulty has the appropriate skills and experience.

It said Mr McNulty had experience running cultural and heritage events in his native Donegal, where he is also involved in the GAA and the Fleadh Cheoil.

The election for the vacant Seanad seat will be held in just over two weeks time. Because only TDs and Senators get a vote, Mr McNulty is almost certain to win that seat.

He will then replace the new MEP, Deirdre Clune, on the Seanad's 'Cultural and Educational Panel'.