Former Minister Katherine Zappone has told the Government she will not accept the position of UN Special Envoy on freedom of opinion and expression.
Zappone said the criticism of the appointment in recent days has impacted the legitimacy of the job itself.
The position was not advertised to the public.
In a statement, the former Children's Minister says "While I am honoured to have been appointed by the Government to be the Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, it is clear that criticism of the appointment process has impacted the legitimacy of the role itself.
It is my conviction that a Special Envoy role can only be of real value to Ireland and to the global community if the appointment is acceptable to all parties.
For this reason, I have decided not to accept this appointment, and I have communicated my decision to the Minister for Foreign Affairs."
Ms Zappone's decision also comes after she hosted an outdoor function for around 50 people at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin.
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar was among those in attendance at the event.
The hotel is insisting the event was Covid compliant.
It was held less than a week before Ms Zappone was appointed a Special Envoy by the Government.
Earlier, Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said the former Children's Minister should not accept the job if she has respect for the Irish electorate and political system.
