Fine Gael’s youth wing has said the circumstances surrounding John McNulty’s nomination to the Seanad are not in keeping with the Government’s expressed political reform agenda.

Young Fine Gael president Dale McDermott criticised the process of nominating Mr McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma) shortly before his selection for the Seanad.

“We take issue with the entire process of nominating Mr McNulty to the Board of the Imma and very much regret the actions in recent days. We believe that they are not in keeping with the Government’s political reform agenda,” Mr McDermott said.

Mr McDermott said Young Fine Gael wanted Government to reform the process of nominations to State Boards “to ensure that they are transparent, open and most of all, accountable”.

He also said the Seanad needed “serious reform” and the “onerous” panel system needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

However, Mr McDermott said the youth organisation wished Mr McNulty every success.

“We firmly believe that John McNulty would make a brilliant public representative and very much hope that he is successful in the up-coming Seanad Bye-Election. He would make a great addition and bring a wealth of business experience to the Upper House.”