Katherine Zappone Envoy Gig

Penn · 04-08-2021 10:37AM

Her entire appointment is now tainted beyond repair and they should fully pull the plug. The more Coveney and Varadkar try to wave it away, they just look even worse. The more they dig their heels in, the more damage it does to all involved.

FrancieBrady · 04-08-2021 10:41AM

A government with a remarkable ability to turn chaos into more chaos.

tayto lover · 04-08-2021 10:42AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703621#Comment_117703621

Does the Merrion Hotel have a swing?

seamus · 04-08-2021 10:43AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703610#Comment_117703610

The IHF or Failte Ireland guidelines are irrelevant to be fair. Failte Ireland doesn't make the law, hotels and pubs are absolutely free to ignore failte ireland's published guidelines and conform to the law.

I know this seems like a gotcha, but it's not at all.

04-08-2021 10:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703610#Comment_117703610

Outdoor gatherings of up to 200 and in some cases 500 were allowed at that stage.

04-08-2021 10:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703413#Comment_117703413

Hmm....the great and good of irish society and our rulers meeting up in private.....bears no resembelence atal🤣

Dempo1 · 04-08-2021 10:58AM

OK, so the defenders of the defenseless have focused primarily on the Gathering, Guidelines etc raised in my OP This morning, possibly a clever distraction from the substance of this thread, I'll grant those focusing on the Guidelines angle have made some fair points but there is serious ambiguity around rules, so that aside.

Why are those defending this latest revelation not discussing the fact a gathering took place so close to the appointment? , Leo's attendance? , what "other politicians in attendance? , indeed what Civil Servants were in attendance?

It" s perhaps not a Gotch moment, but its certainly and not for the first time another WTF moment 😉

tayto lover · 04-08-2021 10:59AM

Golfgate, Swinggate and now Merriongate !!!

FG should avoid hotels altogether.

Dempo1 · 04-08-2021 10:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703684#Comment_117703684

I wasgoing too.... , but won't go there 😂😂😂

iffandonlyif · 04-08-2021 10:59AM

It’s only since moving abroad that I realise how trivial so many Irish political controversies are.

If, indeed, it is true that the regulations at the time allowed 200 people to meet for a social occasion, then that story is reprehensible journalism by the Independent.

04-08-2021 11:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703738#Comment_117703738

I doubt that you would believe anything I link, so try googling it for yourself. Just copy and paste this into your search engine.

“Organised outdoor events

A maximum of 200 attendees can attend the majority of venues. A limit of 500 people is in place for venues with capacity greater than 5,000 with appropriate protective measures in place - including social distancing requirements.”

Sierra Oscar · 04-08-2021 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703732#Comment_117703732

For sporting events and the like, not for licensed premises or restaurants.

04-08-2021 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703765#Comment_117703765

One was indoors, the other outdoors. Try doing a bit of research before posting such ill informed rubbish.

mariab21 · 04-08-2021 11:05AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703801#Comment_117703801

Didnt apply to licences premises, next try please

RamonD3 · 04-08-2021 11:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703782#Comment_117703782

Yes indeed a classic bit of misdirection now for what may well prove to be a perfectly legal gathering. Next up a soft focus interview with Miriam where she speaks about the distress caused to her etc.

If anyone in FF has any balls it's time to challenge Micheal.

silver2020 · 04-08-2021 11:10AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703791#Comment_117703791

It's the indo. Here it is at the same level as the Daily Mail. Utter trash.

seamus · 04-08-2021 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703824#Comment_117703824

That's not correct. Anyone is/was free to organise an outdoor event for up to 200 people.

(1A) A person may organise, or cause to be organised, a relevant event in a relevant geographical location where the person takes all reasonable steps to ensure that the event takes place entirely outdoors, and the number of persons attending, or proposed to attend, the event does not exceed 200 where the event is held, or to be held, other than in a relevant venue

"Relevant venue" here being one with a capacity over 5,000.

Dempo1 · 04-08-2021 11:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703857#Comment_117703857

You've heard the saying Some people's Trash is other people's Treasure, albeit in this case its gold.

Just worth pointing out its being covered across most media outlets now albeit RTE seem asleep at the wheel, perhaps because most of its staff on holidays.

Padraig Mor · 04-08-2021 11:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703808#Comment_117703808

Exactly. The Failte Ireland guidelines (which are the de facto rules for restaurants) clearly state that multiple tables cannot be booked - which is precisely what happened in this case.

Sierra Oscar · 04-08-2021 11:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703890#Comment_117703890

The Merrion Hotel does not have a capacity of 5,000.

Lads, are ye seriously arguging this? She's not going to be taking up the role after this. Don't waste your energy.

mariab21 · 04-08-2021 11:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703890#Comment_117703890

As per Philip Ryan, Govt rules do not allow the booking of multiple tables

Next excuse please.

seamus · 04-08-2021 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703909#Comment_117703909

That was me just clarifying there's no special clause here that only allows events at certain venues.

The Merrion Hotel is legally permitted to hold an organised outdoor event for up to 200 people. The fact that they are a licenced venue is irrelevant.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703924#Comment_117703924

Government rules do permit booking out the entire venue for an event though.

In fact, I'm not sure that the rules prohibit the booking of multiple tables. The Fáilte guidelines say it shouldn't be done, but I don't think it's actually prohibited.

FWIW, I think this whole thing is a complete farce and the role/offer should have been rescinded five minutes after it was announced.

But maybe stick to the facts. This is not golfgate. Nobody has broken any rules here.

04-08-2021 11:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703924#Comment_117703924

You are correct in that it applies to INDOOR dining. Not outdoors in marquees, under umbrellas etc.

Next……

04-08-2021 11:34AM

We need to know the names of all the attendees to this what seems like the “the good and the great” of the political elite, their upper class and its ilk. Did they break the public health guidelines and thus breaking the law. Wonder will the Gardai get involved if laws are broken. Cliften and golfgate springs to mind. This is one fine mess all of FG’s making, wtf did Simon C see in KZ to give her this cushy UN gig? Political favours for an old friend. It’s cronyism at its worst. this is like Groundhog Day again with FG. The Seamus Woulfe judicial crony stroke that the party pulled off has been repeated despite several pleas from Leo V and his allies that “such events would not happen again”. BS.

McMurphy · 04-08-2021 11:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703362#Comment_117703362

Just read this again and let it sink in.

Leo, tánaiste with shared responsibility for the drafting and implementation of covid guidelines, checked with Katherine Zappone (who as far as I can tell, doesn't even reside here permanently) and the hotel hosting the event, if the party was compliant with the aforementioned guidelines he drew up....

Up there with the dog ate my homework as far as an excuse goes.

Elmo · 04-08-2021 11:39AM

I see the CDC have increased travel to Ireland to Level 4, what was in in the most over the previous month?

COVID-19 Levels

Level 4: Very High

Level 3: High

Level 2: Moderate

Level 1: Low

Level unknown

Amirani · 04-08-2021 12:02PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703942#Comment_117703942

Might not be against the law, but the hospitality rules issued by Failte Ireland were developed in a consultation process between Failte Ireland and Government officials, Failte Ireland have been explicit on this.

Willfully ignoring guidelines that were partly developed by Government officials when the general public are subject to those same guidelines (if you or I tried booking out every table in a venue like this, I doubt it would have been so easy) just stinks. Zappone ending up with a bonus UN gig only a few days after her "party" stinks also.

Bobtheman · 04-08-2021 12:06PM

I'd like to hear Simon Coveney explain but I think Catherine zappone is great and I'm no fan of LGBT drum beating. She has done trojan work in community care. She was the first minister for children to actually start setting up a proper childcare system in ireland.

She is not in politics for the money so I'd like to hear her take on it.

The media would be better focusing on waste in the HSE than this.

jammiedodgers · 04-08-2021 12:07PM

Can we get Tony Connelly home to interview Leo?

Padraig Mor · 04-08-2021 12:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703992#Comment_117703992

Also applies outdoors. Next.....

Katherine Zappone Envoy Gig

Comments

I doubt that you would believe anything I link, so try googling it for yourself. Just copy and paste this into your search engine.

“Organised outdoor events