This afternoon.

Via RTÉ:

Katherine Zappone was told of her impending appointment to a UN role by the Foreign Affairs Minister more than four months before the matter was agreed by Cabinet.

Documents released by the Department of Foreign Affairs show that Ms Zappone thanked Simon Coveney for “this incredible opportunity” on 4 March.

The WhatsApp message details how the former minister asked how long the appointment would be for and what the next steps were.

“Thank you again so much Simon – especially when you have so much on your plate. I spoke with Paschal too yesterday,” Ms Zappone wrote.

Documents here

Zappone told of UN role more than four months before Cabinet agreement (RTE)

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39 thoughts on “Well Now

  1. Sara

    Always amazed me that Zappone was elected. She’s opportunism personified. Not a decent bone in her body.

    1. SOQ

      She is a member of the LBGT community- with a door man in Manhattan- but sure that is just a minor detail.

        1. SOQ

          She married an Irish woman- is that the only reason she was elected and was in the government?

          Where did she pop up from?

          1. Sara

            Seattle. She was a theology student. She met her Irish partner who was also a theologian and former nun (and a bit of a religious nut).

    2. Otis Blue

      Worth remembering that she was a nominee of Enda Kenny’s to the Seanad in 2011. On her election to the Dail in 2016 she supported Kenny’s nomination as Taoiseach. Despite being a first-time TD she was then appointed Minister.

    3. Lilly

      What is wrong with wanting to continue working and contributing? I’m not a fan, but that in itself doesn’t mark her as lacking in decency.

      1. Ruby

        What she really wants from this post is free 1st class travel between USA and Ireland as and when she pleases.

        1. Lilly

          Are you serious that a part-time role paying €15,000 pa would allow her to travel first class? That’s unhinged, if true.

          1. goldenbrown

            the 15 grand thing is a total red herring

            there’s much much more in this for all concerned than a payslip

          2. SB

            Interesting aspect I hadn’t considered alright. I wonder if a FOI could be done listing all recipients of 1st or business class travel paid for by the taxpayer. Long haul is understandable, if the govt business was appropriate.

          3. goldenbrown

            nah lads, ye’re still fishing for red herrings there
            she’s a ladder climber
            and she’s worked out the same thing many before her have: it’s not about anything you do or a talent, it’s about who you know
            stop thinking money and airmiles
            for her, this was an entry ticket to the big leagues
            much the same way in the business sphere how ordinary joe shells out for a smurfit mba
            and for FG, this was another useful tentacle into the big leagues

            the wealth will sort itself out

  2. GiggidyGoo

    Bye bye Simon. At least it should be bye bye Simon. And Leo. And Paschal. Shower of runts, or should that be Piglets?

    1. goldenbrown

      you’re wrong (unfortunately)

      check out that troll Neale Richmond’s performance on drivetime R1 earlier if you’re wondering where this is going…brazen black is white stuff

      the spineless wonder is sacking nobody because he knows [insert some guff about keeping the country safe/stable/whatever you’re having yourself] it’s 100% wipeout game over for him and FF if they have to face a GE…

      FG will do whatever they want however they want, they’re still fully in power, we never got rid of them, that housing policy was written by them and their REIT mates, FF are merely puppets along for the ride

      1. Paulus

        RTE come in for a lot of crticism here, much of it deserved, especially in relation to overpaid ‘talent’. It’s unfair to tar them all with the same brush:
        Sarah McInerney was extremely tenacious in this interview and it’s not the first time I’ve heard her being so incisive with politicos regardless of party affiliation.

        1. goldenbrown

          Sarah did a great job as usual, one of the few in Montrose who took the alternate career development path to being a paid up Govt adviser…which more illustrates my point…despite how cornered Richmond was by her he simply switched into belligerent mode with a smile

          in the wider context FG have engineered themselves such a dominant position here they can brassneck like they actually own all the seats and it won’t matter who gets caught doing what…sure look at Lowry for your blueprints

          the Irish Tory Party will be there until retirement age

  3. Anthony Sheridan

    Coveney has just one thing to do tomorrow when he appears before the Dail committee – apologise to the Irish people and resign.

    1. Fergalito

      I’m sure Google would answer but I’d much rather assume for now that we cannot recall a politician or elected representative if there is a petition with sufficient numbers submitted?

    1. Charlie

      Indeed. Pathetic isn’t it? Irish politics is all about trying to rubbish the next guy. It’s an endless game of slagging and desperation to catch the opposing guy. F all to do with policies.

  4. DOC

    15 Grand for 60 days work per year
    And she nearly got it to thanks to the 3 FG Amigo’s
    Pascal Leo and S Coveney. A while back Simon lost the Tanaiste’s Job to Leo
    But Leo made sure Simon still got to keep the state car and Garda driver……
    Ah sure no one will notice……FG up to their old tricks
    I wonder how Seanus Woulfe got the top Judges job?

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