A former Fine Gael councillor has resigned from the board of Irish Water.

Hilary Quinlan resigned today after it was revealed that he had also been appointed as a driver to Junior Environment Minister, Paudie Coffey.

Mr Coffey hired Mr Quinlan, who lost his seat in the local elections in May.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed his resignation from the board in the Dáil this evening.

News of this latest appointment controversy came as the government announced all positions on state boards will have to be publicly advertised in future.

It was reported in the Irish Times that Mr Quinlan had said "Tell me one party out there who doesn't look after their own."

Earlier the Tánaiste Joan Burton said she expected an explanation as to why a director of a state company was now a driver for a minister working in the department overseeing that company.

Ms Burton said she was surprised at his comments.