The final allocation of portfolios in the College of European Commissioners will be made at a later stage, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed.

Executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis will assume responsibilities for trade matters in the interim, following the resignation of Phil Hogan.

In a live broadcast on Thursday morning, the Commission president said it is up now to the Irish Government to present suitable candidates for Commissioner, inviting the Government to propose a candidate of Irish nationality.

Expect compliance

Von der Leyen said: “Over the past days, I discussed with Phil Hogan his movements in Ireland, in light of information that emerged regarding respect of public health guidelines in Ireland.

“In the current circumstances, as Europe fights to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Europeans make sacrifices and accept painful restrictions. I expect the members of the college to be particularly vigilant about compliance with applicable national or regional rules.”

Golf dinner

Commissioner Hogan came under pressure to resign from his role in Von der Leyen’s Commission over the last few days as a result of his presence at a golf dinner on Wednesday of last week and his movements in Ireland since his return from Brussels in July.

President Von der Leyen said she respected his decision and is very grateful to Phil Hogan for his “tireless and successful” work as a Commissioner and as a member of the college.

The Commission president also thanked the Kilkenny native for his contribution to the work of the Commission, not only in the trade mandate, but also in the previous mandate, where he was the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Read more

Hogan resigns as Commissioner for Trade

Who will become Ireland’s next commissioner?

What awaits the next EU Trade Commissioner