Katherine Zappone has rejected an invitation to come before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee to be questioned about her controversial appointment to a special UN envoy role, which many regarded as an example of “cronyism.”
The invitation had been issued last week to discuss the circumstances under which Zappone, who now resides in the US, was given a UN diplomat position by former government colleague Minister Simon Coveney.
However, Zappone has declined the invitation.
In a letter to the committee, Zappone bluntly replied: “I acknowledge receipt of the invitation to meet with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. I respectfully decline.”
“I respectfully decline”. Katherine Zappone says she won’t appear before Foreign Affairs committee pic.twitter.com/YKJrHDv0PB
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) September 20, 2021
Reportedly, Fianna Fáil Barry Cowen, who sits on the committee, thought the development was “a pity.”
“It’s a pity when you think of her as a former Oireachtas member she’d appreciate the value of the committee system, and it’s use in clarifying outstanding matters,” he said.
“Now we have established contact, perhaps she could clarify some matters in writing, even if she did not want to appear.”
Notably, Zappone cannot be compelled to leave the US, where she resides, and must voluntarily agree to come to Ireland if she is to be questioned on the situation.