On Friday morning, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Dara Calleary resigned from his role after 38 days at the Department of Agriculture, after it emerged he attended a golf dinner in the west this week.
He was one of a number of politicians, including European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan, who attended the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner at the Station House Hotel in Clifden, Co Galway, on Wednesday night.
Some 81 people were present at the event, which went ahead despite the Government announcing a range of new COVID-19 measures to limit the spread of the virus on Tuesday.
These new measures included that “no formal or informal events or parties should be organised” at restaurants, cafes, pubs that serve food and hotel restaurants.
There was widespread outrage among the public over news of the event and who was in attendance, with thousands of people over the last number of months unable to attend the funerals of loved ones and hold weddings. Many were not able to see close members of their families.
Apology
Minister Calleary apologised “unreservedly” on Thursday night for attending the event, saying he should not have attended and offered “sincere regret” to his Government colleagues.
Minister Calleary then tendered his resignation to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday morning.
Right decision
The Taoiseach said Minister Calleary’s resignation was “the right decision” for the country.
“His attendance at this event was wrong and an error of judgement on his part. I have accepted his resignation.
“People all over the country have made very difficult, personal sacrifices in their family lives and in their businesses to comply with COVID regulations. This event should not have gone ahead in the manner it, did given the Government decision of last Tuesday,” he said.
He said Calleary’s “error of judgement was out of character”.
Hogan under fire
European Commissioner for Trade and former Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan also attended the event, and came under fire on Friday to explain his attendance at the event and whether he had quarantined before attending.
European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan.\ Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN
In a short statement, he made no apology for attending the event, but instead said the hotel that hosted the event was assured that arrangements for the event were in compliance with the Government’s COVID-19 guidelines.
“I attended the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on Wednesday on the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured [by the Irish Hotels’ Federation] that the arrangements put in place would be in compliance with the Government’s guidelines.
“Prior to the event, I had complied fully with the Government’s quarantine requirements, having been in Ireland since late July,” he said.
Good faith
At the European Commission’s daily press briefing, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission Dana Spinant, said that Commissioner Hogan went to the event in “good faith”.
She did not have any specific information about how long Commissioner Hogan was at the event, but said he was there on “the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured by the Irish Hotels Federation that the arrangements proposed to be put in place for the event were or would be in compliance with the Government’s guidelines”.
Seating plan
Other politicians who have admitted they attended the event include Senator Jerry Buttimer, who has resigned as leas cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Independent TD Noel Grealish, Senator Paul Daly and Senator Aidan Davitt.
Former MEP Brian Hayes was named on the seating plan and Supreme Court Judge Seamus Woulfe has also apologised for his attendance.
New minister
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will assume the role of Minister for Agriculture until he appoints a new minister.
With the Dáil not due to return for three more weeks, there are calls for the Taoiseach to make an appointment to the portfolio immediately.
Barry Cowen spent 17 days as Minister for Agriculture. \ Philip Doyle
Calleary was appointed as Minister on 15 July, following the sacking of Barry Cowen as a result of a 2016 drink-driving offence. Cowen spent 17 days in the role before the Taoiseach relived him of his duties.
Including the Taoiseach as caretaker minister and whoever he appoints as a successor to Calleary, there will have been five Ministers for Agriculture in 2020.
Garda probe
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the event.
“An Garda Síochána is investigating an event that was held in Co Galway on the 19 August 2020, into alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulations 2020, as amended.
“As this is an active investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment,” a spokesperson said on Friday.
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On Friday morning, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Dara Calleary resigned from his role after 38 days at the Department of Agriculture, after it emerged he attended a golf dinner in the west this week.
He was one of a number of politicians, including European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan, who attended the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner at the Station House Hotel in Clifden, Co Galway, on Wednesday night.
Some 81 people were present at the event, which went ahead despite the Government announcing a range of new COVID-19 measures to limit the spread of the virus on Tuesday.
These new measures included that “no formal or informal events or parties should be organised” at restaurants, cafes, pubs that serve food and hotel restaurants.
There was widespread outrage among the public over news of the event and who was in attendance, with thousands of people over the last number of months unable to attend the funerals of loved ones and hold weddings. Many were not able to see close members of their families.
Apology
Minister Calleary apologised “unreservedly” on Thursday night for attending the event, saying he should not have attended and offered “sincere regret” to his Government colleagues.
Minister Calleary then tendered his resignation to Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Friday morning.
Right decision
The Taoiseach said Minister Calleary’s resignation was “the right decision” for the country.
“His attendance at this event was wrong and an error of judgement on his part. I have accepted his resignation.
“People all over the country have made very difficult, personal sacrifices in their family lives and in their businesses to comply with COVID regulations. This event should not have gone ahead in the manner it, did given the Government decision of last Tuesday,” he said.
He said Calleary’s “error of judgement was out of character”.
Hogan under fire
European Commissioner for Trade and former Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan also attended the event, and came under fire on Friday to explain his attendance at the event and whether he had quarantined before attending.
European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan.\ Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN
In a short statement, he made no apology for attending the event, but instead said the hotel that hosted the event was assured that arrangements for the event were in compliance with the Government’s COVID-19 guidelines.
“I attended the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner on Wednesday on the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured [by the Irish Hotels’ Federation] that the arrangements put in place would be in compliance with the Government’s guidelines.
“Prior to the event, I had complied fully with the Government’s quarantine requirements, having been in Ireland since late July,” he said.
Good faith
At the European Commission’s daily press briefing, deputy chief spokesperson for the European Commission Dana Spinant, said that Commissioner Hogan went to the event in “good faith”.
She did not have any specific information about how long Commissioner Hogan was at the event, but said he was there on “the clear understanding that the organisers and the hotel concerned had been assured by the Irish Hotels Federation that the arrangements proposed to be put in place for the event were or would be in compliance with the Government’s guidelines”.
Seating plan
Other politicians who have admitted they attended the event include Senator Jerry Buttimer, who has resigned as leas cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Independent TD Noel Grealish, Senator Paul Daly and Senator Aidan Davitt.
Former MEP Brian Hayes was named on the seating plan and Supreme Court Judge Seamus Woulfe has also apologised for his attendance.
New minister
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will assume the role of Minister for Agriculture until he appoints a new minister.
With the Dáil not due to return for three more weeks, there are calls for the Taoiseach to make an appointment to the portfolio immediately.
Barry Cowen spent 17 days as Minister for Agriculture. \ Philip Doyle
Calleary was appointed as Minister on 15 July, following the sacking of Barry Cowen as a result of a 2016 drink-driving offence. Cowen spent 17 days in the role before the Taoiseach relived him of his duties.
Including the Taoiseach as caretaker minister and whoever he appoints as a successor to Calleary, there will have been five Ministers for Agriculture in 2020.
Garda probe
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the event.
“An Garda Síochána is investigating an event that was held in Co Galway on the 19 August 2020, into alleged breaches of the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No.3) Regulations 2020, as amended.
“As this is an active investigation An Garda Síochána has no further comment,” a spokesperson said on Friday.
Read more
Farmers will learn of Minister Calleary’s resignation with disbelief – ICMSA
Rotating ministers put agriculture into dangerous spin
Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules
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