Anger in DFA over ‘political’ appointments
DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs figures are unhappy with what they see as an increase in ‘political’ appointments of high-profile ambassadors abroad, the Irish Daily Mail understands.
John Concannon, who was behind the Government’s controversial Strategic Communications Unit, was appointed as the Irish ambassador to Canada late last year.
While Martin Fraser, the former secretary general to the Department of An Taoiseach and secretary general to the government as a whole, was recently appointed as Irish ambassador to the UK.
A Department of Foreign Affairs source said there was ‘a lot of anger’ at what is perceived as the ‘politicisation’ of ambassadorial appointments.
They said: ‘This is a new worrying trend for selecting ambassadors. There’s a lot of unhappiness internally about it and a hope that it won’t continue.’
Senior Fine Gael sources told the Mail that there was unease within the party at a number of these appointments.
One said: ‘There were eyebrows raised alright when Concannon got the gig. And he didn’t just get Canada, he was also appointed ambassador to Antigua & Barbuda, Jamaica and the Bahamas.’
Mr Fraser had not served as an ambassador prior to his appointment as Ireland’s ambassador to the UK, regarded as one of the most senior postings a diplomat can get. Neither he nor Mr Concannon have any experience in formal ambassadorial roles, which usually go to experienced foreign affairs career civil servants, who have already served abroad in a variety of diplomatic postings.
However, Mr Fraser has extensive experience in Anglo-Irish relations having worked in the Department of An Taoiseach for many decades and was director of the Northern Irish division within the department. Nonetheless he has not been a career diplomat like many of his ambassadorial peers.
Mr Concannon was behind the Wild Atlantic Way marketing campaign, which is widely seen as a huge tourism success story. However, in 2018 the Strategic Communications Unit, which Mr Concannon was heading up, was accused of supporting Fine Gael specifically using government funds. The unit eventually had to be disbanded.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: ‘The process for the appointment of ambassadors involves the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs bringing proposals to the Government by way of a Memorandum for the Government with the details of individual assignments considered at the Government meeting. ‘Decisions take account of the skills and experience of nominees, including in their work across the government and their engagement with international partners. ‘This is the process that was followed in the case of the appointments in question. These appointments included individuals with extensive, seniorlevel experience working in or with the Department of Foreign Affairs.’
He had not been a career diplomat