# Katherine Zappone

This year

2023

Missing Mails: Wiping of ministers’ texts and emails to be addressed with new policies

A report by

Eimer McAuley

Controversies over deletion of texts occurred in recent years, with new investigation revealing this practice is widespread among European leaders.

Investigative project #MissingMails reveals multiple scandals across European governments and institutions

As part of this, The Journal and Noteworthy examine Irish State practices following 'ZapponeGate'

Retention policies currently vary from department to department

9.0k

Jun 2nd 2023, 12:05 AM

# Redress

TD says Mother and Baby Home redress is 'madness', Varadkar accuses her of 'demonising' govt

Catherine Connolly clashed with the Taoiseach during Leaders’ Questions today.

19.2k

Feb 22nd 2023, 3:32 PM

All time

# New Rules

New rules over special envoys published but no sign of filling the Katherine Zappone gig

A report was commissioned in the wake of a controversy over Zappone’s appointment this summer.

13.8k

Updated

Nov 30th 2021, 7:21 PM

# New York

'I've been busy this week': Coveney says he's not met or spoken to Zappone while in New York

Zappone has declined an invite to come before an Oireachtas Committee to discuss her abandoned appointment as UN special envoy.

11.5k

Sep 23rd 2021, 6:26 PM

# Katherine Zappone

Taoiseach's Secretary General to come before Oireachtas Committee over Zappone appointment

Martin Fraser in the Department of An Taoiseach will face the committee, though Zappone has confirmed she will not.

14.6k

Sep 21st 2021, 12:26 PM

# Zapponegate

Zappone a ‘private citizen’ says Taoiseach, after she turns down committee invite

Zappone declined an invite to face an Oireachtas Committee over her special envoy role.

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Sep 20th 2021, 8:40 PM

# rolling controversy

Katherine Zappone will be asked to appear before an Oireachtas Committee to answer questions

The Foreign Affairs Committee agreed to extend the request this morning.

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Sep 15th 2021, 2:28 PM

# Zapponegate

Simon Coveney ’embarrassed’ by Katherine Zappone fiasco

Sinn Féin is set to table a motion of no confidence in Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney tomorrow.

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Sep 14th 2021, 4:50 PM

# reset

As Fine Gael think-in begins, Varadkar and ministers apologise to their party for 'bad summer'

The FG leader said it was time to “refresh, regroup and reset”.

36.8k

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Sep 13th 2021, 3:30 PM

# Zapponegate

Taoiseach 'has confidence' in Simon Coveney, says spokesperson

His comment comes after Mary Lou McDonald said today that Simon Coveney cannot stay on.

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Sep 8th 2021, 5:50 PM

# Simon Coveney

'There can be no doubt about how appointments are made': Taoiseach reacts to Coveney's apology

Coveney was grilled further on the Zappone controversy before an Oireachtas Committee today.

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Sep 7th 2021, 9:28 PM

# Sorry

'It wasn’t a job offer': Coveney says Zappone should have been told role wasn't a 'done deal'

The minister said his mistakes in recent weeks had contributed to what has become a political embarrassment.

Coveney acknowledges "making mistakes in recent weeks" and that this has created "a political embarrassment for the Government"

In hindsight , Coveney says it would have been helpful for him to respond to Zappone's text to tell her that it was not a job offer, but rather a concept.

The minister called Zappone on Sunday to tell her their text messages were being released

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Sep 7th 2021, 1:00 PM

# Transparency

Future special envoys should be appointed through open competition, says Taoiseach

The Department of Foreign Affairs is expected to publish documents today relating to Katherine Zappone’s role.

10.0k

Sep 6th 2021, 2:54 PM

# James Lawless

Taoiseach must 'stamp his authority' and put an end to Zappone row, Fianna Fáil TD says

James Lawless described the controversy as a “Fine Gael mess” and insisted: “There’s not a single Fianna Fail-er near this.”

25.8k

Sep 5th 2021, 3:27 PM

# merriongate

‘Comprehensive’ information will clarify Zappone appointment, Taoiseach says

Micheál Martin denied the row is proving a distraction to the Government.

14.1k

Sep 4th 2021, 3:10 PM

# Merrion Gate

Explainer: Why are people still talking about the Zappone/Coveney/Varadkar controversy?

There have been a lot of twists and turns. But why does it all matter?

Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Katherine Zappone have been drawn back into controversy this week.

Developments included deleted and revealed texts, FOI requests and an Oireachtas committee.

Orla Dwyer takes a look back at what happened in late July and what the situation is now.

32.6k

Sep 4th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Simon SMS

Sinn Féin calls for all documents related to Zappone appointment to be published

TD Matt Carthy said the Department of Foreign Affairs should also clarify if any other relevant documents have been erased.

10.7k

Sep 3rd 2021, 3:56 PM

# Disagreed

'You're trying to say an apple's an orange': Martin and Varadkar want perspective on Zapponegate

The Tánaiste said he regrets going “anywhere near” the Merrion Hotel event.

18.0k

Sep 2nd 2021, 7:10 PM

# Merrion

Coveney asks to appear before Oireachtas Committee to clarify text controversy

The fallout from the Zappone controversy continues.

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Sep 2nd 2021, 5:28 PM

# Spelling it out

'Is it definitely legal?' - Varadkar releases screengrabs of his texts with Zappone and Coveney

The Tánaiste and Katherine Zappone discussed the Merrion event over text, including whether it was “definitely legal”.

New screenshots show conversations between Leo Varadkar with Katherine Zappone and Simon Coveney in July.

The Tánaiste and Zappone discussed her event at the Merrion Hotel, including whether it was "definitely legal".

She asked the Tánaiste if he had heard anything about her prospective appointment as a UN Special Envoy.

110k

Updated

Sep 1st 2021, 9:38 PM

# Zapponegate

'I've been hacked': Coveney says he is being 'prudent' by clearing his phone regularly

Simon Coveney said yesterday that Katherine Zappone did not lobby him for a job.

28.8k

Updated

Sep 1st 2021, 1:40 PM

# Zapponegate

Coveney received a text but not a 'formal invitation' to Zappone event at Merrion Hotel

The minister is facing scrutiny from an Oireachtas committee over Katherine Zappone’s appointment as a UN envoy.

35.8k

Updated

Aug 31st 2021, 6:07 PM

# merriongate

No decision yet on Katherine Zappone replacement - Coveney

He acknowledged that mistakes were made in the appointment of the former children’s minister as a UN special envoy.

14.0k

Aug 16th 2021, 5:57 PM

# Controversy

Public Accounts Committee to discuss Katherine Zappone’s appointment as UN envoy

The former children’s minister stepped back from the role amid controversy over the manner of her appointment.

19.8k

Aug 13th 2021, 5:04 PM

# taxation report

Paschal Donohoe says he 'absolutely accepts' Leo Varadkar's explanations about 'Merrion Gate'

Donohoe also said today that he was invited to the event but was out of the country when it took place.

24.9k

Aug 10th 2021, 1:49 PM

# Guidelines

Eamon Ryan 'regrets' controversy caused by Zappone and Green Party events

“In hindsight, in terms of maintaining public confidence, I’d prefer had we not attended those events,” the minister said today.

31.7k

Aug 9th 2021, 10:55 AM

# Merrion Gate

'Further clarity' was needed on guidelines after Zappone event, Taoiseach says

Micheál Martin issued his first comments today about the event which was attended by 50 people including Leo Varadkar.

38.1k

Aug 8th 2021, 2:24 PM

# New Rules

Live music allowed in outdoor settings under updated hospitality guidelines

The update comes following a controversy involving an outdoor event held by former minister Katherine Zappone.

The update comes after advice from the Attorney General, Órla Ryan reports

The latest update comes amid controversy over an event organised by former minister Katherine Zappone

Weddings fall under a different regulation and have an upper limit of 100 guests

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Aug 6th 2021, 11:29 AM

# Covid guidelines

Merrion Gate: Taoiseach and Tánaiste called on to explain 'grubby little episode'

The government yesterday said that outdoor events of up to 200 people can take place.

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Aug 5th 2021, 5:42 PM

# Freedom of Expression

Junior Foreign Affairs Minister can't say if UN job offered to Zappone will be filled

The DFA has said a decision on the next steps will not be taken until next month.

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Updated

Aug 5th 2021, 4:38 PM

# Merrion Hotel

Katherine Zappone says she will not accept UN envoy role after days of mounting political pressure

Today’s reports of a 50-person event led to increased pressure over Zappone’s appointment as a UN envoy.

Political pressure has mounted since it emerged Zappone held an event for 50 people before being appointed.

The Merrion Hotel, where the event was hosted, said that all Covid-19 guidelines were followed at the event.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has released a statement saying he was only in attendance for 45 minutes.

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Aug 4th 2021, 5:46 PM

# gatherings

In wake of Zappone hotel controversy, Government says outdoor events of up to 200 can take place

It comes in the wake of reports that former Minister Katherine Zappone held a large social event outdoors at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel.

33.2k

Aug 4th 2021, 5:35 PM

Voices

Larry Donnelly: Katherine Zappone will provide value for money as special envoy

Our columnist muses on the Zappone furore, summer days and what’s next for Donald Trump.

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Jul 31st 2021, 8:00 PM

# Cabinet approval

Eamon Ryan says despite process 'misgivings', Katherine Zappone will make 'excellent' envoy

The Taoiseach would not be drawn today on whether the job was Zappone’s idea.

15.2k

Jul 29th 2021, 10:30 AM

# Katherine Zappone

Varadkar and Coveney 'accept responsibility' for oversight in appointing Zappone special envoy

Varadkar said Zappone approached Coveney about the position.

57.0k

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Jul 28th 2021, 12:40 PM

# New Job

Donohoe defends appointment of Zappone as UN special envoy for freedom of expression

Zappone will be assisting Minister Simon Coveney with United Nations business.

40.8k

Jul 27th 2021, 4:17 PM

# dept of children

Illegal adoption investigator says she was treated 'disrespectfully and in an unprofessional manner' by Dept

She lodged a complaint about the department’s ‘failure to comply with the assurances’ provided to her.

48.5k

Apr 25th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Migrants

Zappone welcomes arrival of 8 young people from Greek refugee camp

The children will be received into the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

28.0k

Jun 17th 2020, 6:01 PM

# Your Say

Poll: Should the Department of Children be scrapped?

A proposal to merge the Department of Children with the Department of Education is being considered.

50.6k

Jun 11th 2020, 8:56 AM

# Childcare

'Play-pods' of up to 12 children to be introduced in creches as they reopen from 29 June

These services will first be made available to children of essential workers and those experiencing poverty or welfare issues.

26.6k

May 29th 2020, 5:23 PM