The Tánaiste says it is her “absolute preference” that people apply for state board positions through the public appointments mechanism.

Joan Burton was commenting on controversy surrounding John McNulty's bid to be elected to the Seanad.

He is citing his position as director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art as part of his qualifications.

Mr McNulty was only given that job by his Fine Gael colleague Heather Humphreys six days before launching his Seanad bid.

Tánaiste Joan Burton says Fine Gael appointments are a matter for Fine Gael, but she says an official mechanism is in place and should be used:

A Labour TD says he has concerns about how Fine Gael gave the position to a by-election candidate.

On Twitter, TD Dominic Hannigan said he would be raising concerns about the move at the weekly Labour parliamentary meeting tonight.

Deputy Hannigan said he wanted to know whether Labour TDs would be forced to vote for Mr McNulty in the Seanad election in two weeks' time.

Unhappy re: Seanad / J. McNulty. I'll raise it at 2day's parl. mtg. Will ask if I must vote 4 him as part of our deal with FG. #labour #lmfm

— Dominic Hannigan (@Domhannigan) September 24, 2014

Meanwhile, Mr McNulty has not ruled out the possibility of contesting the next general election in place of Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley, if he was not to run.

In an interview with Ocean FM last week, this was Mr McNulty's response to the question of whether the party was lining him up to take deputy McGinley's place.

Yesterday, 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.

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.

Originally published at 9:43am