Former Minister Katherine Zappone has told the Government she won't be taking up the position of UN Special Envoy.
Zappone said the criticism of the appointment in recent days has impacted the legitimacy of the job itself.
Katherine Zappone contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs this afternoon to inform Minister Simon Coveney she won't be taking up the role of UN Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
Ms Zappone said while she was honoured to be appointed, criticism of the appointment process impacted the legitimacy of the job itself.
Serious questions had been asked about how she was appointed - recruited by former cabinet colleague Simon Coveney without the knowledge of the Taoiseach.
Further scrutiny came today when it emerged Zappone hosted an event for 50 people at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar attended the event just days before she was appointed.
The hotel insists it was complying with Covid guidelines.
While the Government may now try to draw a line under the process very few questions are fully answered, including whether the Tánaiste attended an event in breach of Covid restrictions, something restauranteurs want answers about at a meeting with Government officials this evening.
