European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan of Ireland apologized again on Sunday for his participation at a gala dinner in violation of health restrictions linked to the new coronavirus, a scandal which earned him calls for resignation.
“I want to offer a full and unconditional apology for attending the Oireachtas Golf Club dinner on Wednesday evening“Mr. Hogan said in a statement.”I admit that my actions have offended the people of Ireland and I am deeply sorry“, he added.
Resignation or not resignation?
This dinner, organized for the 50 years of the Parliament Golf Club with 82 guests, caused a scandal and leads several people to resign, including Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Saturday asked Mr Hogan to consider resigning and announced the convocation of Parliament.
“I spoke with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste yesterday and listened carefully to their opinions, which I respect“, said Sunday Mr. Hogan referring to the Prime Minister and the Irish Deputy Prime Minister.
“I have reported to the President of the European Commission on all these issues in recent days“Hogan added, referring to Ursula von der Leyen.
Take his responsibilities
The dinner in question took place the day after a decision by the authorities to tighten restrictions on gatherings, banning meetings of more than 6 people indoors. Irish police announced on Friday the opening of an investigation into “violations“of the legislation.
MM. Martin and Varadkar, who heads the Fine Gael, a party of which Hogan is a former MP, said on Saturday “talking with Commissioner Hogan and asking him to take responsibility“.
Elected to the Irish Parliament from 1987 to 2014 and Minister for the Environment from 2011 to 2014, Mr Hogan had previously claimed to have attended the evening “on the basis of a clear understanding that the organizers and the hotel in question had been assured that the arrangements put in place would follow the instructions of the governmentHe later issued a statement to apologize.
More “the commissioner’s apologies are late and (…) he still has to relate in detail and explain his actions“, estimated the spokesperson for the Prime Minister. MM Martin and Varadkar”both feel that the event should never have taken place” according to him.
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