Image: Flickr''I expect the members of the college to be particularly vigilant about compliance with applicable national or regional rules or recommendations''.
Following the resignation of Irish EU Commissioner Phil Hogan, president of the commission Ursula von der Leyen has made a public statement.
Mr. Hogan had come under intense pressure after it emerged he attended last week’s Oireachtas Golf Society dinner, which broke government Covid-19 restriction guidelines on public gatherings.
He insists that his resignation was his own decision and decision he had not been asked to step aside.
In her statement Ursula von der Leyen said:
''Last night Phil Hogan submitted his resignation from the post as Trade Commissioner, I respect this.
''I am very grateful to Phil Hogan for his tireless and successful work as a commissioner and as a member of the college.
''And I thank him warmly for his valuable contribution to the work of the commission, not only in this mandate, but also in the previous mandate where he was commissioner in charge of agriculture and rural development.
''Over the past days I discussed with Phil Hogan about his movements in Ireland in light of information that emerged in regarding respect of public health guidelines in Ireland.
''In the current circumstances as Europe fights to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and Europeans make sacrifices and accept painful restrictions, I expect the members of the college to be particularly vigilant about compliance with applicable national or regional rules or recommendations.
''In accordance with article 246 of the treaty, it is up now to the Irish Government to present suitable candidates for commissioner of Irish nationality.
''As in the past I will invite the Irish government to propose a woman and a man.
''Executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis will assume at interim responsibilities for trade matters and at a later stage I will decide on the final allocation of portfolios in the college of commissioners.
''Thank you''.
