A spokesman for Enda Kenny has denied claims that the Taoiseach discussed appointing John McNulty to the Seanad as long ago as June.

The spokesman said the two had only ever discussed the subject when they met for an interview in early September.

Earlier, Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly claimed that the Taoiseach had discussed the Seanad vacancy with Mr McNulty in June - three months before he was appointed to IMMA.

Sources close to Mr McNulty - who's expected to poll strongly in Friday's Seanad by-election - also described the claims as "absolute rubbish".