The Tanaiste says he respects Katherine Zappone’s decision not to attend an Oireachtas Committee, describing her as a ‘private citizen.’
TDs and Senators had asked the former Minister to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee over her appointment to a special UN envoy role.
However she has declined the invitation.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Leo Varadkar said it’s her decision.
"She's a private citizen, and has a right to make her own decision."
When pressed on the matter and reminded that Zappone was a politician in the Oireachtas and that she should give the committee some respect, Varadkar responded:
"Well she used to be, but she's not. She's a private citizen now. She was asked to attend, she decided herself not to, and that's her decision to make."
