Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar have asked European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan to “consider his position” at the European Commission on the back of his attendance at a golf event during the week.
They said the event should not have been held and that Commissioner Hogan needs to give a “full account” of his attendance.
A Government spokesperson said on Saturday: “The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste did speak with Commissioner Hogan today and asked him to consider his position.
“They both believe that the event should never have been held, that the Commissioner’s apology came late and that he still needs to give a full account and explanations of his actions,” the spokesperson said.
Under fire
Commissioner Hogan came under fire on Friday after it emerged he was one of a number of politicians who attended an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner 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.
“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,” Commissioner Hogan said in a statement.
Calleary
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary was also in attendance at the event and came under pressure to resign as a result.
He tendered his resignation to the Taoiseach on Friday morning after he apologised “unreservedly” for attending the event.
Read more
Calleary resigns, Hogan under fire for attending golf dinner
Farmers will learn of Minister Calleary’s resignation with disbelief – ICMSA
Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar have asked European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan to “consider his position” at the European Commission on the back of his attendance at a golf event during the week.
They said the event should not have been held and that Commissioner Hogan needs to give a “full account” of his attendance.
A Government spokesperson said on Saturday: “The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste did speak with Commissioner Hogan today and asked him to consider his position.
“They both believe that the event should never have been held, that the Commissioner’s apology came late and that he still needs to give a full account and explanations of his actions,” the spokesperson said.
Under fire
Commissioner Hogan came under fire on Friday after it emerged he was one of a number of politicians who attended an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner 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.
“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,” Commissioner Hogan said in a statement.
Calleary
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary was also in attendance at the event and came under pressure to resign as a result.
He tendered his resignation to the Taoiseach on Friday morning after he apologised “unreservedly” for attending the event.
Read more
Calleary resigns, Hogan under fire for attending golf dinner
Farmers will learn of Minister Calleary’s resignation with disbelief – ICMSA
Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules
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