Zappone steps aside from UN role

FORMER minister for children Katherine Zappone has turned down the role of UN Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

The controversial appointment was brought to Cabinet last week and drew derision on social media and from some opposition TDs as the role was awarded without any tendering process or competition.

Today, it was revealed that Ms Zappone, who lost her seat in the last General Election, hosted approximately 50 friends and colleagues, including the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, at an event in the Merrion Hotel shortly before she was appointed to the UN Special Envoy role.

In a statement to RTÉ News at One, Ms Zappone instructed the national broadcaster to contact the Merrion Hotel “for their statement regarding compliance with government covid-19 restrictions and guidelines for my private event”.

The Merrion Hotel insisted they had adhered to Covid-19 guidelines “at all times since the start of the pandemic”, and they stated the Government regulations at the time allowed for 200 people at outdoor events.

This afternoon, Ms Zappone confirmed in a statement that she will not be taking up the UN Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression role.

The statement reads: “While I am honoured to have been appointed by the Government to be the Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, it is clear that criticism of the appointment process has impacted the legitimacy of the role itself.

“It is my conviction that a Special Envoy role can only be of real value to Ireland and to the global community if the appointment is acceptable to all parties.

“For this reason, I have decided not to accept this appointment, and I have communicated my decision to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.”