Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Katherine Zappone contacted the Minister on foot of a recommendation from the Minister for Finance looking for an introduction to Samantha Power, the US ambassador to the UN, for a job in the UN. The Minister said “No” but he had an idea, which would allow Ms Zappone to work in the UN and more or less said, "Leave it with me". She thanked the Minister and stated that she would help put it together with his officials in the meantime. The Minister believes that the initial conversation around the concept and her prompting for a role in the UN was not lobbying. We have to accept that, although I do not necessarily agree with it, but the Minister stands by his understanding of the legislation associated with lobbying.

Thereafter, Katherine Zappone subsequently sought updates, clarity and input into that concept being realised and honoured both from the Minister, the Tánaiste and the US ambassador. That would clearly appear to be pressure being applied for the concept, the offer and the commitment to be realised as initiated by the Minister. If it was not lobbying initially, does he believe or at least begin to see the reality emerge on foot of the Minister’s initial concept offering that there was clear and obvious lobbying on the part of this person to those mentioned to realise the commitment, concept and offer that he had made initially?