Analysis: Zappone row illuminates uncompetitive nature of diplomatic appointments

The optics of a former cabinet colleague being hastily appointed to a prestigious international role are not good for the government, yet a change in policy of how such roles are filled is unlikely any time soon

A proposal brought to cabinet by Simon Coveney that Katherine Zappone be appointed as a United Nations Special Envoy for Freedom of Expression took many by surprise, not least of all the Taoiseach. Picture: Rollingnews.ie

From the supposedly safe distance of New York city, Katherine Zappone probably thought she had escaped the relentless controversy of the Irish political news cycle, having lost her seat as a TD at the last election. But the former Minister for Children was making headlines again this week for the wrong reasons.

A proposal brought to cabinet by Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs, that Zappone be appointed as a United Nations Special Envoy for ...