Zappone lobbied Simon Coveney for Special Envoy role

The Taoiseach said Mr Coveney has been 'at pains' to point out that he was not trying to pull a fast one at Cabinet

Simon Coveney and Katherine Zappone. File Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins

Former Minister Katherine Zappone personally lobbied Simon Coveney for the €15,000-a-year Special Envoy job which she was given without an open competition.

The Government moved to quell the mounting political controversy but is facing calls from Opposition TDs for the appointment to be scrapped.