Ireland loses EU trade job after Phil Hogan's COVID breach, post goes to former Latvian PM

Ireland, on September 8, lost a coveted top trade job at United Nations following a scandal from Phir Hogan. Hogan, Former European Commissioner for Trade and an Irish citizen attracted flak after he was spotted at a parliamentary golf society dinner defying social distancing and all COVID-19 related guidelines. Following incident, Hogan was asked to resign by Irish Prime minister Michael Martin, which he complied to.

 According to international media reports, position of trade commissioner has w been offered to EU veteran Valdis Dombrovskis, a former Latvian prime minister who is seen w being seen as a steady personality to handle one of bloc's most sensitive jobs. Meanwhile, experts have shown scepticism towards Ireland securing position again. However, shuffle yielded better results for little European Nation than expected with important financial services portfolio going to country's new commissioner, senior MEP Mairead McGuinness. 

Read: EU Trade Chief Phil Hogan Resigns After Controversial Ireland Trip Amid Pandemic

Read: EU Top Trade Official Phil Hogan Resigns 

Hogan's resignation

Hogan tendered his resignation as EU Trade Commissioner on August 26 after allegations of COVID-19 public health guidelines breach during his trip to Ireland. Hogan said that controversy concerning his visit to Ireland was becoming a distraction from his work as an EU Commissioner and would have undermined his work in key months ahead.

“I deeply regret that my trip to Ireland – country that I have been so proud to represent as a public servant for most of my adult life - caused such concern, unease and upset,” said EU trade chief in a statement.

Hogan maintained that he has always tried to comply with all relevant COVID-19 regulations in Ireland and met with all relevant public health guidelines. He attended a golf dinner in Ireland last week which sparked outr, leading to resignation of an Irish minister and or disciplinary actions against several lawmakers.

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