Taoiseach set to face criticism from party over McNulty affair

The last time Mr Kenny met with his parliamentary party was at the think-in in Cork three weeks ago - where many members told him that the whole party needs to have more of a say in election strategy.

On the closing day of that think-in, John McNulty was made a director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art - an appointment that is likely to dominate discussion when the Taoiseach is reunited with his back-benchers this evening.

The Taoiseach was in America last week, and missed the last party meeting where his handling of the McNulty affair came up for relentless criticism.

That criticism is likely to be repeated tonight, with even more anger now that Mr McNulty has withdrawn from the Seanad election, and left the Government without a majority in the upper house.

Mr McNulty announced yesterday that although his name is on the Seanad by-election ballot paper, he was asking people not to vote for him.

However another Fine Gael TD, Liam Twomey, later said that it has came too late for some voters.

“A huge number of Fine Gael and Labour Oireachtas members has already cast their votes before John McNulty announced that he was not wishing members to vote for him,” he said.

“There was an opportunity for people to vote yesterday.

“It’s a very difficult one. John McNulty, in particular, is paying a high price here. In fairness, he was a good candidate, and a decent fellow.”