'This is not some makey-uppey job': Coveney rejects Zappone cronyism charge

Mr Coveney said they created the role and he, based on discussions with his officials, reached out to Ms Zappone and asked her to accept the paid job

On the Katherine Zappone special envoy appointment, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the Government wished to follow the example of other countries who have deployed such envoys to support Ireland’s international dealings.

Fine Gael ministers knew in advance of Cabinet of the Katherine Zappone appointment but Fianna Fáil and Green ministers did not, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said.

A communications error led to the Taoiseach being blindsided over the Katherine Zappone appointment as Special Envoy, he said.