Thread by @gavreilly

The tone of the messages is very clear that Zappone expected the appointment as something of a fait accompli

A better-socialised colleague than I suggests that the “Piglet” in question may be a Temple Bar wine bar, and not some oddball porcine moniker

Confirmed that this is a reference to the wine bar.

Timeline of note here: Cabinet where Taoiseach was blindsided by Zappone’s appointment was on July 27.

Coveney was clearly aware of the proposal by July 16, as Zappone had expected to hear from him by then.

Zappone notified Varadkar by text of it then, and in person on July 21.

(Condolences to @PigletWineBar’s admin)

So Zappone spoke to Coveney at some point in summer 2020 to say she was in NY at the Govt’s disposal

Spoke again in Feb 2021 where she mentioned work she was doing with in the UN.

Coveney asked his Secretary General later that month if she could be of any use to Irish UN team.

Summer 2021: the Department recommends creating a role of envoy “with a broad mandate”; it is presented to Coveney who then offers it to Zappone.

(He argues that this does not need Cabinet approval but he sought it “as a good news story” anyway.)

Zappone accepts in principle.

July 16: Having already invited Leo Varadkar to an outdoor reception at the Merrion, Zappone inquires with him as to why her appointment has not been completed.

This is Varadkar’s first time hearing of the proposal.

July 19: Varadkar consults Coveney who tells him she’ll be meeting Coveney’s sec-gen the following Wednesday to finalise the contract. “She seems very happy.”

July 21: Merrion reception. Varadkar and Zappone “discuss the role briefly”. He “expresses his support.”

July 26: At a usual pre-cabinet meeting, ministerial advisors clear the following day’s cabinet agenda. There is to be a memo on a series of ambassadorial appointments but Zappone is not included on it.

July 27: The Cabinet meeting goes ahead, with Zappone’s name now on the memo. The Taoiseach is said to be blindsided and raises concern about not being notified in advance, but allows the appointment to be approved anyway.

The above messages with Coveney now apparently deleted from his phone, although this may be a breach of a Department’s requirement to safeguard communications under FOI law.

This because Coveney says his phone has previously been hacked, about which the Taoiseach knows nothing.