DEAR SIR: We are about to enter into the final stages of the Brexit negotiations, which will fundamentally alter our trading relationship with the UK, come what may. However, there are arguably more fundamental trade issues facing Ireland and the EU, in the shape of the future trading relationship with China and the increasingly fractious relationship with the US. Have no doubt, regardless of who wins the November election, the ethos engendered by Trump will not disappear. And, of course, we have Mercosur, with all of its challenges and complexities.

As a textbook example of a very small and open economy, all of these issues are of crucial importance to Ireland and to Irish farmers in particular. Hence, we should have realised that having an Irish person as EU Trade Commissioner was an absolute godsend in the current context.

Alas, in my opinion, our Government pressurised Ursula von der Leyen to sack him and she foolishly acceded to these pressures by forcing his resignation, thereby creating a dangerous precedent for herself and her successors.

Mr Hogan has apologised for the obvious mistakes he made. He has become just the latest victim of contradictory, confusing, inconsistent and over the top guidelines. Phil Hogan had built up incredible political and professional capital during his time in Brussels. Every time I visited the EU Commission in recent years, I have been struck by the high esteem in which he is held. Last November, I sat across a lunch table from a senior Swedish member of the Commission, who was waxing lyrical about Mr Hogan, expressing the view that we must be very proud of him in Ireland. I certainly was and still am. He was seen as a forceful, effective, intelligent and no-nonsense Commissioner, who got things done.

The pressure the Irish Government exerted to have him removed is astounding and displays a serious lack of strategic awareness and vision. The attitude of the leader of the party is particularly difficult to rationalise. However, of most importance for the readership of this newspaper, is that Irish farmers have lost a champion who looked after their interests.

The gloating attitude of some sections of the UK media to his demise last week should tell us all we need to know.

The level of capital that Mr Hogan created, cannot be recreated overnight. We had an Irish person in command of one of the most influential parts of the Commission, particularly from the perspective of Ireland’s strategic interests and we have thrown it all away. Ireland will be the loser – have no doubt about that.