The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has requested further information from EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan following his participation in a social gathering in Ireland that did not comply with national health restrictions to combat coronavirus.
“The President received a report from Commissioner Hogan last night. She’s examining it now. (She) has asked for further clarification, because the details are important, and she wants to have them,”,said European Commission deputy spokesperson Dana Spinant on Monday 24 August.
However, the Commission has not indicated how soon Mrs von der Leyen will take a position on this matter, which is making a great deal of noise in Ireland and tarnishing the Commissioner's respectability. She simply explained how difficult it was to analyse the situation, given that the rules change “from county to county”. However, Mrs Spinant acknowledged that it was possible, under Article 17 of the EU Treaty, for the Commissioner to resign at the request of the President of the Commission.
On Wednesday 19 August, Commissioner Hogan attended a gala dinner at the Irish Parliament Golf Club for 80 guests, whereas the day before the Irish Government had tightened health measures and banned indoor events with more than 50 people. The news caused an outcry in Ireland and brought down several politicians, including Agriculture Minister Dara Calleary, who had attended the dinner.
The Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, and Deputy Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, have therefore requested that full light be shed on Mr Hogan’s “movements”, not ruling out a possible resignation. On Sunday 23 August, the Commissioner, who had once considered running for the World Trade Organization (see EUROPE 12516/16), expressed his deep regret via Twitter. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)