A Fianna Fáil demand that Taoiseach Enda Kenny answer questions in the Seanad on the byelection controversy was rejected in a House vote yesterday.

Fianna Fáil Senator Marc MacSharry said rather than answer questions in the media and in the Dáil, Mr Kenny should answer questions in the Seanad, which was the appropriate forum. "He has a responsibility to this House, as a democratic institution of the State, and we are entitled to answers.''

Fine Gael Seanad leader Maurice Cummins said the Taoiseach had raised his hands and said he got it wrong. "I did not hear the Fianna Fáil leader admit he got it wrong by not putting forward a Fianna Fáil candidate for the byelection.''

Ivana Bacik (Labour) said she had put her concern about the manner of John McNulty's appointment to the board of Imma on the record last week.

She said she welcomed the announcement by Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin that the procedures for appointment of people to State boards would be reformed, and she hoped there would be a Seanad debate on it.

Astonished

David Norris

(Ind) said he was astonished by the position of

Labour

members who had consistently said it had nothing to do with them. He had heard Minister of State

Kathleen Lynch

say so on Newstalk radio earlier.

“It has everything to do with them. They are part of a Government.’’

Ms Bacik intervened to say she had been very clear about putting her concerns on the record.

Colm Burke (FG) said one of the issues not highlighted was that the Taoiseach had appointed 12 people to the Seanad, eight of whom were women. There were two from Fine Gael, three from Labour and seven Independents.

Aideen Hayden (Labour) said there was a certain amount of amnesia on the other side of the House and Mr Howlin’s announcement was positive.

The Fianna Fáil proposal was rejected by 22 votes to 11.