The ICMSA has insisted that the fallout of “golfgate” cannot result in the loss of Phil Hogan as European Commissioner for Trade.

President of the organisation Pat McCormack said it would be self-defeating and self-indulgent to demand the removal of Hogan.

He said while he understood people were angry over the incident, which saw over 80 Oireachtas members attend a hotel function last week, that in the context of Brexit it was important for Hogan to remain in his position.

ICSA

President of the ICSA Edmond Phelan also said that he understood the anger people felt about the Oireachtas Society dinner but asked that people consider what a devastating blow it would be to Ireland if the country lost the EU Trade Commissioner role.

“It is all very well saying that any EU trade commissioner, regardless of country, has the same mandate but it is naïve to think that Brexit weighs equally on all EU member states. While it remains the case that Phil Hogan currently holds the position, Ireland needs to be very careful not to lose it, one way or the other.

"While the decision to attend the golf dinner was a bad error, there is no value in compounding it with a strategically disastrous error in terms of Brexit. The trade portfolio is simply too important to lose," Phelan said.

Minister for Agriculture

The ICMSA also pointed out the anger farmers felt over the episode, with the sector now contemplating getting its third Minister for Agriculture.

This was echoed by the INHFA who said that it was critical that a new Minister for Agriculture was appointed.

"The Taoiseach, Michéal Martin who has appointed himself as acting Minister for Agriculture, cannot in all fairness oversee everything," stated Colm O’Donnell.

"He needs to make this appointment swiftly and he needs to give the position to someone with an understanding of agriculture and the agri-food sector. There is no time for learning on the job here.”

O’Donnell also highlighted that the Programme for Government had promised to have a new Food Wise 2030 strategy published within six months of government formation.

“The aim of the strategy is to add value and sustainability in the agri-food sector into the future by supporting family farms and employment in rural Ireland. All this ambition and still no functioning Minister."