Fine Gael's John McNulty has sensationally pulled out of the Seanad by-election.
He says the controversy surrounding his name would distract from the government's ongoing work.
His statement was issued by the FG Press Office just after 3pm today
Statement from John McNulty : 30 September 2014
I have informed the Taoiseach that under the circumstances, I am withdrawing my name and asking the Members of the Oireachtas not to vote for me in the upcoming Seanad bye-election. I would like to thank the many members of the Oireachtas who already expressed their support for me.
I am taking this decision because I believe that to contest the election would be an ongoing distraction from the critical work of Government which is to secure Ireland’s recovery through job creation and increased investment. I believe the Government’s economic plan is working and the country is now moving in the right direction. This is what all members of Government should be focussed on at all times.
It was my hope, if elected, to support the Government’s work in this regard as a member of the Oireachtas and now it is my intention to seek a Party nomination to contest the next General Election.
His decision comes as the Taoiseach faces a Dáil grilling over the nomination and Mr McNulty's appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Enda Kenny has admitted in the Dáil that he let his standards slip in the controversy, and he will now have to deal with losing the Government majority in the Seanad.
Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports
