The man at the centre of alleged cronyism within Fine Gael is to meet senior Labour leaders today - amid growing tensions within the coalition.

John McNulty is to meet with senior figures in Labour after his nomination to a state board - just days before his Seanad election bid - drew ire at a private Labour meeting last night.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.

John McNulty's appointment to the board of IMMA, just days before launching his Seanad election bid, has become a bone of contention between the government parties.

His appointment was the major topic at last night's meetings of both the Fine Gael and Labour parliamentary parties.

Mr McNulty himself spoke at the Fine Gael meeting - and though sources said he gave a good account of himself, many members accused their own party of cronyism in how he was nominated.

But the focus is on Labour - where many TDs criticised what they saw as "stroke politics".

They were told his nomination is a Fine Gael issue, and not a government one - but there was no instruction for members on whether they would have to vote for him in next month's by-election.

One source said last night that the party would probably "bite its tongue" and get Mr McNulty elected - but his meeting with Labour leaders today will indicate just how welcome he'll be in Leinster House.