Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Taoiseach a number of questions concerning the appointment of Mr. McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys. Yesterday, the Taoiseach's attempt in the Dáil to bring clarity to the matter did not succeed and has raised far more questions than answers. There has been a lack of clarity. To paraphrase what has emerged, it seems that Mr. McNulty in his interview with the Taoiseach said he was interested in becoming a member of a cultural body. He was interviewed by the Taoiseach for the Seanad nomination and, mysteriously, Fine Gael officials became aware of his desire to serve on such a body. They then sent a memo or CV over to the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, saying "Put him on a cultural body". She then, in great haste, decided to put him on the board of IMMA with another person. The entire process of nominating him to the Seanad, as a Fine Gael process, was completely and absolutely separate to the process of his nomination to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. That is what we have heard at this stage.

I do not know whether the Taoiseach was aware that the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, was asked by Fine Gael officials or was going to appoint Mr. McNulty to the board of IMMA. That brings into question the Minister's role. Why will she not do interviews on this matter? Why will she not come before the House and give a comprehensive statement on it? When did she receive the request from Fine Gael officials to appoint him to the board of IMMA? Who mandated them to make that request of the Taoiseach? Why did she act with such haste in increasing the size of the board to facilitate his appointment, rather than just wait for a casual vacancy to arise and then fill it in the normal way?

There is a range of questions but I only want to ask the Taoiseach one and I would appreciate a very clear answer. I asked it yesterday, as did Deputy Adams, but we did not get a clear answer. Did the Taoiseach, or somebody on his behalf in Government Buildings, ask Fine Gael officials to tell the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to appoint Mr. McNulty to a cultural body? Yes or no?

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