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Katherine Zappone later declined the role following political uproar

Committee will invite Zappone to discuss UN appointment

The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs is to ask Katherine Zappone to speak about her appointment as an UN special envoy last July.

Ireland • 15 Sep 21

Documents show that Katherine Zappone thanked Simon Coveney for the opportunity on 4 March

Coveney apologises for 'political fiasco' over UN role

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has apologised to an Oireachtas committee over what he described as the "political fiasco" surrounding the appointment of Katherine Zappone to a UN role.

Politics • 07 Sep 21

The WhatsApp message details how Katherine Zappone asked how long the appointment would be for

Zappone told of UN role months before Cabinet agreement

Katherine Zappone was told of her impending appointment to a UN role by the Minister for Foreign Affairs more than four months before the matter was agreed by Cabinet.

Politics • 06 Sep 21

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he believed material will be provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs will bring clarity to the issues

Govt documents will clear up Zappone issues - Taoiseach

Comprehensive material will be provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday on the proposed appointment of former minister Katherine Zappone as a United Nations envoy, the Taoiseach has said.

Politics • 04 Sep 21

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney says Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis' proposals are not a basis for moving forward

'Robust, frank' meeting held over legacy of Troubles

A virtual meeting of the five parties involved in the Stormont Executive to discuss the British governments plan to end prosecutions for killings during the Troubles has been described as passionate, robust and frank.

Ireland • 16 Jul 21

Brandon Lewis will also meet Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald

British-Irish govts to hold NI conference in June

Irish and British government ministers are to meet for a formal summit on Northern Ireland in June.

Ulster • 05 May 21

Simon Coveney said the protocol is part of an international treaty

NI Protocol 'here to stay' - Coveney

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said the Northern Ireland Protocol "is here to stay" despite opposition from unionist parties.

Brexit • 28 Feb 21

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney warns there will be no more time on a Brexit transition

70 days until Brexit transition ends - Coveney

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that he believes a trade deal can be done before the end of the Brexit transition period.

Business • 23 Oct 20

A spokesperson for Simon Coveney said the number of new Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland is 'worrying'

Coveney, Lewis meeting focuses on rising Covid-19 rates

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney is to discuss his concerns about Covid-19 infection rates with the Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis, when they meet in Hillsborough, Co Down this afternoon.

Ireland • 08 Oct 20

Simon Coveney also said the position on fishing has hardened on both sides

Major obstacles still to basic trade deal - Coveney

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said Government preparedness for Brexit is well advanced.

Brexit • 07 Oct 20

Coveney not ruling himself out of commission post

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said he is not ruling himself out as a candidate to replace Phil Hogan as Ireland's next European commissioner.

Politics • 31 Aug 20

Simon Coveney: 'The truth is that progress has not been good'

Coveney fearful of another crisis point in Brexit talks

Trade talks between the UK and the European Union will hit a crisis point unless there is progress the coming weeks, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has warned.

Brexit • 05 May 20

'Restrictions may go on for some time' says Coveney

The highly restrictive measures put in place last week to slow the spread of Covid-19 may well be extended beyond the initial deadline of 12 April, Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said.

Coronavirus • 02 Apr 20

Professor of Public Health at University of Bristol, Gabriel Scally said health in Northern Ireland is a devolved power and they could choose to follow their own path

Medical officers to formalise north-south coordination

The chief medical officers in the Republic and Northern Ireland will sign a Memorandum of Understanding formalising co-ordination and cooperation between the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive this week.

Coronavirus • 31 Mar 20

Simon Coveney said the measures will be announced some time next week (File pic)

Government to introduce new Covid-19 economic package

Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said that the Government is to introduce an economic package that will go "well beyond what they have announced to date".

Coronavirus • 22 Mar 20

The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised against all non-essential overseas travel until at least 29 March

Those who wish to return to Ireland urged to do so soon

Irish people overseas who wish to return to Ireland have been advised to do so as soon as possible while commercial flights are still an option.

Coronavirus • 20 Mar 20

Over 1,700 tests have been conducted here so far (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

10 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Republic

The Department of Health have said that 10 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed bringing the total in the Republic of Ireland to 34.

Coronavirus • 10 Mar 20

Simon Coveney said a 'level playing field' was a pre-requisite for the EU to conclude a trade deal with the UK

No free trade deal without 'equivalence', Coveney warns

The Tánaiste has warned that the European Union will not agree to a free trade agreement with the UK unless it signs up to "equivalence" in the way goods are produced in the UK and the EU.

Brexit • 20 Jan 20

The two governments laid out proposals in the New decade, New approach document

Stormont proposals: What have the parties agreed to?

Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Secretary Julian Smith published their proposals on restoring power-sharing at Stormont ahead of the Assembly reconvening.

Northern Ireland • 11 Jan 20

Simon Coveney and Julian Smith published the proposals

The Stormont proposals: What is outlined in them?

Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Secretary Julian Smith have published their proposals on restoring power-sharing at Stormont.

Northern Ireland • 10 Jan 20

Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith and Tánaiste Simon Coveney have been co-chairing talks

NI proposals 'provide basis' for agreement - Coveney

Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Secretary Julian Smith have published their proposals on restoring power-sharing at Stormont, saying they provide the basis for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Ulster • 09 Jan 20

Boris Johnson wants Withdrawal Agreement Bill due to come before the Commons this week to legally prohibit any further extension

Johnson to legislate against any Brexit delay past 2020

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to introduce legislation designed to prevent any further extension of the process of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

Brexit • 17 Dec 19

Coveney to update Cabinet on Brexit planning

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney is expected to brief his Cabinet colleagues on an update on Brexit preparations this morning.

Politics • 05 Nov 19

Lisa Smith travelled to Syria three years ago to join the so-called Islamic State

Major breakthrough in Smith case not expected - Coveney

Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said he does not expect a major breakthrough in the coming days in efforts to bring Lisa Smith and her child home to Ireland.

Ireland • 04 Nov 19

TD Maria Bailey took a civil case against a Dublin hotel, which she later withdrew

Bailey has paid the price for mistake - Coveney

Tanáiste Simon Coveney has defended Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey saying she has "paid the price for making a mistake" and she continues to pay that price.

Politics • 18 Oct 19