Phil Hogan to resign as EU Commissioner in wake of 'Golfgate' scandal

EU Commissioner Phil Hogan is resigning from his role following the furore over his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden, Co Galway last week.

Mr Hogan had been under increasing pressure to stand down from his high-powered role since it was revealed he was among those who attended the golf dinner last Wednesday which was in breach of public health guidelines revised the previous day.

According to RTE's Tony Connelly, a "spokesman for Phil Hogan has confirmed Ireland's EU commissioner is resigning."

Yesterday he provided details to EU Commisison President Ursula von der Leyen about his attendance at the Clifden dinner, and his movements across several counties while in Ireland.

In an interview with RTÉ News' Tony Connelly yesterday he said that he broke no regulations while in Ireland, was no risk to anybody but made big mistakes and is very embarrassed.

He said that as he had tested negative for Covid-19 shortly, it exempted him from the requirement to restrict movements for 14 days.

However the Department of Health issued a statement saying a person is required to restrict their movements for 14 days if they arrive into Ireland from a country not on the green list.

It said the guidance does not state that a negative Covid-19 test shortens the 14-days requirement.

Last night the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the leader of the Green Party said it was clear that Mr Hogan had breached the public health guidelines since he travelled to Ireland.

In a joint statement, Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar and Eamon Ryan said Mr Hogan's "delayed and hesitant release of information has undermined public confidence."

In their statement, Mr Martin, Mr Varadkar and Mr Ryan said the Government guidelines "clearly required him to restrict his movements for 14 days".

Mr Martin and Mr Varadkar had asked Mr Hogan to "consider his position".