Coveney to answer questions on Zappone appointment process

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney will appear before an Oireachtas committee on Tuesday to answer questions on the appointment of Katherine Zappone as a Government special envoy.

The former minister for children stepped down from the position of Government envoy for freedom of expression earlier this month amid sustained criticism of the appointment process.

The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs will convene at 5pm to discuss the controversy and also the crisis in Afghanistan.

While Mr Coveney will be questioned on the role, function and remuneration of special envoy roles generally, committee members will also seek full explanations on the background and process behind the decision to appoint Katherine Zappone.

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TDs and Senators are also keen to gain access to the all documentation associated with the role. The Department of Foreign Affairs has already said it intends to publish all documentation before the middle of next week.

The committee has already received briefing documents explaining the rationale behind the decision to appoint a special envoy.

Loud and clear

That information said that the position was intended to “enhance Ireland’s influence and reputation” and ensure that “Ireland’s voice be both loud and clear”.

The time required for the job was estimated to be up to 30 days during the initial six months with a “per diem payable based on principal officer scale”.

High-level events that Ms Zappone would have been expected to work on were to include the UN General Assembly third committee between October and December this year; the Freedom Online Coalition in December; the Commission on the Status of Women next March; and the Human Rights Council next summer.

The role was to have a two-year mandate that would involve meetings with the minister after six, 12 and 18 months “to review progress and priorities” before a final report.

There are already two other special envoys who will serve until the end of 2022. These are Tom Arnold, who is serving as special envoy on food systems, and Kenneth Thompson, who is serving as special envoy for Francophone Africa and the Sahel.