Alison O'Connor: Coveney bears responsibility for letting Zappone affair ‘rumble on’

After the controversy surrounding the near-appointment of Katherine Zappone as a United Nations special envoy, Alison O'Connor believes that Simon Coveney still has lessons to learn from his handling of the affair

There could be even more fallout if Sinn Féin decide to go ahead with a motion of no confidence in the Foreign Affairs minister over the controversy surrounding the planned appointment of Katherine Zappone as a UN Special Envoy. Photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Mary Robinson’s closest adviser recalled on a few occasions the difficulty the former President had in adjusting to civilian life after all the pomp that surrounded being the country’s first citizen.

Bride Rosney, who would go on to work with her subsequently, described Mrs Robinson as having become “institutionalised and dysfunctional” and recalled being in New York with her very shortly after she stood down as President.