EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has resigned following a scandal being referred to as the "Golfgate". Reports emerged over the weekend that Hogan had traveled across Ireland without respecting coronavirus restrictions. The move sparked public outrage, forcing him to step down from his role. Hogan said he did not break any law but he "should have been more rigorous" in adherence to the coronavirus guidelines. In a resignation statement, the outgoing commissioner said he regretted his trip to Ireland had "caused such concern, unease and upset". "I reiterate my heartfelt apology to the Irish people for the mistakes I made during my visit," he added. On Tuesday, Hogan provided details to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, about his time in Ireland leading up to his attendance at the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) Golf Society event. Hogan said he traveled to his temporary residence in Kildare and tested negative for coronavirus on Aug. 5 during a hospital visit. According to a BBC report, He had told Irish state broadcaster RTE he had not breached regulations and argued the test result meant he was "not under any subsequent legal requirement to self-isolate or quarantine". Ireland's Department of Health has said a person is required to restrict their movements for 14 days if they arrive in Ireland from a country not on the green list. It said the guidance does not state that a negative coronavirus test shortens the 14-days requirement. Appointed in 2014 as the agriculture commissioner, Hogan rose through the ranks to win the coveted trade post under Ursula von der Leyen's EU Commission in December 2019. His departure creates another problem for Von der Leyen, who will need to find a replacement, amid difficult trade talks with the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. Von der Leyen paid tribute to Hogan's work as the trade commissioner, calling him a "valuable and respected member of the College." A scandal erupted last week over reports that more than 80 people attended a golf society dinner in Galway, Ireland, on Aug. 19. Ireland's Prime Minister Micheal Martin has been facing a barrage of criticism after it emerged a number of senior members of his party, Fianna Fáil, were there. In response to Hogan's resignation, the Irish government said it was the "correct course of action given the circumstances of the past week", adding it will consider a replacement in due course. — Agencies
