Simon Coveney faces Oireachtas committee grilling over Zappone controversy
Foreign affairs Minister Simon Coveney faces a grilling from an Oireachtas committee today as the storm continues to swirl around the appointment of Ms Zappone as UN special envoy for freedom of expression.
#OireachtasTV - Watch LIVE as the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence meets to discuss the appointment of Special Envoys with Minister @simoncoveney #seeforyourself
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On Monday it was revealed that Former children’s minister Katherine Zappone thanked Foreign Minister Simon Coveney in early March for offering her a UN role to represent Ireland, over four months before the Taoiseach was informed.
Newly released documents reveal that Ms Zappone had a hand in drawing up the job specifications before the role was announced and had contacted Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe ahead of her appointment.
He told the committee last week that Ms Zappone did not lobby for the role, but text messages show that she contacted him repeatedly between March and May about the position.
On March 4, Ms Zappone sent a text message to Mr Coveney thanking him for the role: “Thank you so so much for offering me this incredible opportunity,” she said. “It will be such a privilege, and I will be so proud to serve Ireland again.
"I think the time is really ripe for a change too. Could you let me know the time period appointment is for, and what are the next steps. And you know, I am working with UN FPA until mid or end of June.
"Thank you again so much Simon, especially when you have so much on your plate. I spoke with Pascal (sic) yesterday. Warmest Katherine," Ms Zappone texted.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was blindsided when the appointment was brought to Cabinet for approval in July.
In a statement accompanying the release of the documents, Mr Coveney apologised for the controversy the appointment has caused.
“I am sorry that this appointment has caused such controversy for the Government,” he said:
Mr Donohoe said the reference to him discussing the appointment with Ms Zappone required “context”.
“At the end of last year, Katherine sought my advice regarding a future in the UN and other international organisations,” he said.
“I suggested she contact Minister Coveney for advice. At some point in the new year, I mentioned this potential contact to Minister Coveney. I had no further engagement with Minister Coveney on the matter.”
Emails and text messages also show that the remit of the role was redrawn following a meeting between Department of Foreign Affairs secretary-general Niall Burgess and Ms Zappone.
Ms Zappone texted Mr Coveney to say she had just met with Mr Burgess and agreed a two-year role, with a one-year review clause.
"We both agreed the two years would be a more realistic timeframe to achieve the objectives with a one-year review report into you on the model. Thanks again for this privilege and opportunity, Katherine," she texted.
The email is dated July 22, five days before the appointment was brought to Cabinet.
Mr Burgess emailed Ms Zappone at 10.08 am that day including the "concept note" for the role.
Ms Zappone responded 22 minutes later, writing:
"Dear Niall, yes, I so enjoyed meeting you in person too. The revised note captures everything so well of our collective efforts. I saw the Tánsiste (sic) last eve, and he’s really excited about this too.
"It’s ready to go to the Minister, I think.
"I did text him re the timeframe, as discussed. I promise you, Niall, that I will do my best to ensure that this will be an important legacy piece of your time in leadership."
Speaking in Cork yesterday, the Taoiseach said that lessons must and will be learned from the debacle.
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