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Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has rejected former European Commissioner Phil Hogan’s claim that he was subjected to a “large-scale attack” by the Taoiseach and himself over the so-called “Golfgate” affair.
In comments to the Kilkenny People reported Tuesday, Hogan insisted that he had “not broken any laws,” adding: “I did not get due process, unlike others. I am very disappointed that there is a lot of effort focused on my resignation. “
Varadkar, speaking on Wednesday, said he had not spoken to Hogan since his resignation after the controversy surrounding his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden, Co Galway and his moves around Ireland this summer.
“Ultimately, no one in government wanted to lose a cabinet member or commissioner or anyone else and all of this could have been avoided if those involved had obeyed our laws and followed public health guidelines and rules and regulations.” Varadkar told reporters at a government press conference on Brexit.
The Tánaiste said the matter had become a subject of controversy and public anger “because people felt that those who were in high positions and those who make the rules were not following them.”
“We, as a government, could not endure a situation where we would say that those who hold the most important positions, those who hold the highest office, should somehow not have to adhere to the minimum standards that we ask of everyone. the rest. adhere, ”he said.
Mr. Hogan told Kilkenny People that he had “no other option” but to resign because he was subjected to a “full-scale attack” by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Mr. Varadkar.
“I always feel that the Irish expect due process in the right forum. I did not understand that. They didn’t give me that opportunity, ”he said.
“The government has had a full-scale attack on my compliance or not,” Hogan said, adding that “he was left with no choice but to resign due to enormous pressure” from Martin, Varadkar and the media.
“My life in public service after 38 years has come to an end. I’m going to take some time to reflect on what to do next, ”he said, adding that he would continue to be based in Brussels while he considered his future.
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