EU Trade Commissioner apologizes for attending golf dinner

EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has apologized “fully and unrestrictedly” for attending a dinner in the west of Ireland with more than 80 people.

Mr. Hogan said he acknowledged that his presence at the golf event had “touched a nerve” with Irish people.

The Irish government has agreed to recall the Dáil (Irish Parliament) early amid controversy over the attendance of political figures at the Galway summit.

It had to come back on September 15th.

As EU Trade Commissioner, Mr Hogan, a former Irish government minister, would lead free trade negotiations with the UK if and when they start after Brexit.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin will on Monday submit the request that the Dáil be recalled to the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker).

The coalition government has agreed that the Dáil should be recalled after the resumption of schools.

Opposition politicians called for a reshuffle in the wake of the dinner controversy that had already demanded the dismissal of Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary, who had also attended the event.

Irish police are investigating whether the Oireachtas golf community has violated diner Covid-19 regulations.

The incident came a day after stricter restrictions were announced.

‘Unnecessary stress, risk and mismanagement’

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Hogan said he especially wanted to “apologize to the wonderful health workers who put their lives on the line to fight Covid-19 and all the people who lost loved ones during this pandemic”.

“I acknowledge that my actions have caused a stir for the people of Ireland, something I regret,” he said.

“I fully realize the unnecessary stress, risks and mischief caused to the people of Ireland by my presence at such an event, at such a difficult time for all, and I am very sorry about this,” he added.

He said he had spoken to Taoist leader and Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar yesterday and had reported to the President of the European Commission.

Mr. Hogan has apparently come under pressure to reconsider his position.

The Sunday Independent has reported that Mr Martin and Mr Varadkar want the EU Trade Commissioner to reconsider his position.

Mr Varadkar told RTÉ News on Sunday that he welcomed Mr Hogan’s apology, but that further explanation was needed.

The return date for the Dáil has not yet been confirmed, but is expected to be early next month.

Press to recall

The decision to recall the Dáil was taken by Mr Martin, Mr Varadkar, and Minister Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party.

Speaking on RTÉ News on Friday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called for the return of the Dáil, saying the event “was the last straw for many people”.

Calls to return were also made by Labor leader Alan Kelly, and co-leader of the Social Democrats, Catherine Murphy.

Like Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary, Jerry Buttimer, the lease chathaoirleach (deputy chairman of the Irish Senate), also stepped down from his roles after attending the event.

The president of the Oireachtas Golf Society apologized “unreservedly” for the pain caused by the dinner.

Others present at the event included Supreme Court Judge Séamus Woulfe and Independent TD (MP) Noel Grealish.