Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly is standing by his claims that Enda Kenny spoke to John McNulty about the Seanad by-election, three months before Mr McNulty got his role at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

Mr Daly repeated his claims in the Seanad today, having originally made them in the chamber last night.

Senator Daly claimed that the possibility of getting Mr McNulty into the Seanad could have been raised three months earlier, saying: “On the 20th of June this year the Taoiseach visited Sligo for the opening of Lissadell house. During that visit I believe Mr McNulty met him, with a delegation, and the issue of the Seanad by election was discussed."

The allegations have been denied by both a spokesman for Mr Kenny and sources close to Mr McNulty himself.

But Mr Daly today repeated his claims - saying the two discussed the Seanad vacancy in June.