Taoiseach Enda Kenny has backtracked on his admission he appointed John McNulty to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Imma).

Mr Kenny had confirmed he had a role in the appointment of the Fine Gael by-election candidate to the board of Imma to boost his credentials.

During the RTE television debate the Taoiseach admitted he did make the selection and should not have made the appointment in September 2014.

However speaking afterwards Mr Kenny said it was a Ministerial appointment made by Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys.

He said it was not his finest hour and he took full responsibility for it.

Speaking after the debate Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said he was not surprised by the Taoiseach's admission.

He said Mr Kenny tells a lot of stories and had been caught out on air about the appointment.

The Fianna Fáil leader said he never had any doubt Mr McNulty was appointed by Mr Kenny.

Sinn Féin called on Mr Kenny to make a full statement on his admission before people cast their votes on Friday.

“This smacks of political cronyism and Enda Kenny has been found out this evening,” Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín said.

“This is just another example of the golden circle type of politics that has reigned under Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil.”