A member of the Fine Gael party has resigned over the party giving John McNulty a position on a state board, just six days before he launched his bid for the Seanad.

Samantha Long was also in the running for that Seanad seat.

She spoke to Jonathan on today's show about her decision to resign:

John McNulty today resigned from the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, after just 13 days.

Fine Gael's candidate for the Seanad by-election says IMMA's rules force him to stand down, now that he's seeking public office.

Meanwhile the Taoiseach's denied ordering the arts minister Heather Humphreys to appoint him in the first place.

Enda Kenny says he never tells ministers who to appoint.

Meanwhile the Tánaiste's refused to say whether Labour will support Fine Gael's candidate in next month's Seanad by-election.

Joan Burton says it's a private ballot - and won't discuss whether Labour members are being asked to vote for Mr McNulty.