Ireland PM, Deputy call on EU trade chief Hogan to quit for 'breaching' COVID guidelines

Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin and his Deputy Minister Leo Varadkar have asked Phil Hogan to 'consider his position' as European Commissioner for Trade after attending Oireachtas Golf Society dinner this week that breached COVID-19 regulations and is currently being investigated.

'Hogan still needs to give a full account'

An Ireland government spokesperson in an email statement confirmed that Taoiseach (prime minister) and Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) spoke with Commissioner and asked him to 'consider his position'. y both believe that event should never have been held and  Commissioner’s apology came in late. Hogan still needs to give full account and explanations of his action, spokesperson added in a statement.

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Oireachtas Golf Society also came under pressure on Saturday to disclose length of time of event. More than 80 people were gared at dinner. Attendance at event has led to two high-profile political resignations so far. Former agriculture minister Dara Calleary and Jerry Buttimer resigned and many or lawmakers were disciplined on Friday who were among guests at  hotel for dinner hosted by parliament's golf society. night after COVID-19 restrictions were significantly tightened.

Hogan, who also attended event, had to face public outr and is under police investigation for alleged breaches of public health regulations. He apologised on Friday and said he attended event on clear understanding that it would comply with COVID guidelines.

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Hogan has led trade talks with United States and has a pivotal role in negotiations over Britain's post-Brexit trading relationship with bloc. He is considered a bid to become next director-general of World Trade Organization in June before deciding against running. Hogan is a former Minister from Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael party and was appointed to Commission's agriculture brief in 2014. He was given influential position of Trade Chief upon his reappointment last year.

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