Coveney defends deleting Zappone texts as Varadkar produces transcript

The Tanaiste has released text messages detailing his communication with Katherine Zappone about her appointment to the role of UN Special Envoy.

In a statement, Leo Varadkar says they show he "wasn't aware of the appointment" and had contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney for details. Meanwhile, the Minister is defending deleting messages between himself and Katherine Zappone and himself and the Tanaiste. But he says this is prudent and something he does regularly as he's been hacked in the past. "This means that I don't allow a whole load of texts on issues that have moved on to be sitting on my phone. "That is a judgement that I have made and I expect others do the same but I am open to questioning from by the committee if they want to and of course we will comply with FOI legislation as well." Back to news Follow South East Radio on: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Linkedin

More from Wexford News

  • Get Involved in Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal

    Schools across Wexford are being called upon to support children living in poverty around the world by participating in Ireland's most loved Christmas appeal – the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. As the charity celebrates its 15th year of spreading festive joy, Team Hope is inviting schools, employers, individuals and community organizations across Wexford to take part by registering online at teamhope.ie.

  • Wexford Volunteers Remove 4.1 Tonnes of Marine Litter During Big Beach Clean 2025

    In a monumental effort to protect Ireland’s marine environment, 695 volunteers across Wexford helped remove an estimated 4.1 tonnes of marine litter during the Big Beach Clean 2025. Part of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme, this national event engaged almost 11,000 volunteers who cleaned up 520 locations nationwide, collecting over 60 tonnes of litter—the equivalent weight of around 9 elephants!

  • Wallace Criticizes Western Policies

    Former MEP Mick Wallace has passionately critiqued the role of big money in U.S. politics, European complicity in Gaza and the destructive impact of conflicts like the war in Ukraine.

  • Low Awareness of RSV Risks Among Older Adults in Wexford

    A recent study has revealed that awareness of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is alarmingly low among older adults and their carers in Wexford and across Ireland. Despite RSV being a significant cause of hospitalisations, particularly for those aged 65 and over, only 18% of people report knowing much about the virus. The study, commissioned by Pfizer and conducted by Ipsos B&A, shows that 41% of respondents have never heard of RSV or only recognize the name.