President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is currently assessing Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan’s account of his movements in Ireland in the days prior to his attendance at a golf dinner in Clifden Co Galway.

Commissioner Hogan has come under pressure to resign from his role in Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission over the last number of days as a result of his presence the event on Wednesday of last week and his movements in Ireland since his return from Brussels in July.

There was no indication given on how long it may take the president to complete her deliberations

Commissioner Hogan published a list of his movements on Tuesday and president von der Leyen is now “considering the matter”.

On Wednesday afternoon, a Commission spokesperson stated that it had been less than 24 hours since the report had been received and a decision had yet to be made. There was no indication given on how long it may take the president to complete her deliberations.

Commissioner Hogan said he was “extremely sorry” and apologised for the “stress, risk and offence caused to the people of Ireland” by his attendance at the event.

Full account

The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister Eamon Ryan said on Tuesday night that “concerns remain” about Commissioner Hogan’s travel arrangements and involvement in the recent golfgate scandal.

Ultimately, the commissioner is accountable to the EU Commission, not to the Irish Government movement or to the Oireachtas

“Commissioner Hogan is accountable to the president of the Commission Ms Ursula von der Leyen, under the legal framework outlined in the Treaties,” a joint statement read.

“The Government now awaits the outcome of the review being undertaken by the president.

“Ultimately, the commissioner is accountable to the EU Commission, not to the Irish Government movement or to the Oireachtas.”

This Tuesday, the commissioner sent a dossier of his movements to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen detailing his movements following his return to Ireland from Brussels in late July.

He said that he adhered to the Irish Government’s requirements under COVID-19 in relation to movement restrictions and restrictions on events.

Farmers

ICMSA president Pat McCormack said that it would be “self-defeating and self-indulgent” to demand the removal of the commissioner. He said in the context of Brexit, it was important for Hogan to remain in his position.

His comments were echoed by ICSA president Edmond Phelan, who said it would be a “devastating blow” to Ireland if the EU lost the EU trade commissioner role.

The trade portfolio is simply too important to lose

“While the decision to attend the golf dinner was a bad error, there is no value in compounding it with a strategically disastrous error in terms of Brexit. The trade portfolio is simply too important to lose,” Phelan said.

IFA president Tim Cullinan said the “trade portfolio in the EU Commission is particularly important to Ireland”.