Tag Archives: Pascal Donohoe

Above from left: Katherine Zappone, Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney

This afternoon.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that Katherine Zappone did not directly put herself forward for the role of UN special envoy for freedom of expression.

Via RTÉ

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One programme, Mr Coveney said: “I contacted Katherine and asked her whether she would be willing to do this role, which is perfectly normal in terms of how special envoys are appointed”.

The role comes with a €13,000-€15,000 income before tax, plus expenses for travel and accommodation, and will reportedly involve 50-60 days work a year.

Mr Coveney said that no one else was considered as the minister thought Ms Zappone would be very good “as we had someone who was a former government minister, who lives in New York and has campaigned all her life on issues of freedom of expression, on human rights issues and LGBT issues, all of her life, and we now have her available to us if she was willing to do it”.

Seems legit.

Zappone did not put herself forward for UN envoy role – Coveney (RTÉ)

Earlier…

From left: Katherine Zappone, Leo Varadkar and Paschal Donohoe

This morning.

Via Independent.ie

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe spoke with Katherine Zappone 10 days before she was appointed as a special envoy for freedom of expression.

Mr Donohoe met Ms Zappone near Government Buildings for around 30 minutes less than two weeks before the appointment.

The minister’s spokesperson said the meeting was not related to Ms Zappone’s new taxpayer-funded position.

“They have a good relation and he met her for 30 minutes for coffee,” she said.

The spokesperson could not say whether Mr Donohoe and Ms Zappone discussed her eventual appointment as a special envoy.

Donohoe met Zappone 10 days before she was given taxpayer-funded position (Independent,ie)

Zappone’s home on market for €750k (The Ditch)

Meanwhile…

Katherine Zappone, former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and new Irish envoy on free speech to the United Nations

Good times.

Previously: Zappwned

My Photos Mikegibbdon

(Top) Mike Horn, (below) Pascal Donohoe and Niall Gibbons

 

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Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons was left bemused when an American radio host asked him: “I don’t want to put you on the spot here, Niall. I want to find out, there are no plans for Ireland deciding to leave the UK, are there?”

The question was asked on CRN Talk Radio’s What’s Cookin’ programme [in September], a coast-to-coast programme which is broadcast to 250 stations and cable networks across the United States.

Mr Gibbons and Minister for Tourism Paschal Donohoe were on the show promoting the launch of Ifest Boston, a promotional event for Irish tourism in Boston.

Co-presenter Mike Horn asked the question. Mr Gibbons decided not to offer him a history or geography lesson, but instead decided to focus on promoting Ireland.

“(That’s)an interesting question,” he replied. “Ireland is a destination in itself. We are encouraging people to jump into Ireland. It is very much a standalone destination.”

Again? US radio host wants to know if Ireland plans to leave UK (Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times)