Ireland’s EU commissioner Phil Hogan must explain his lockdown movements, says Irish premier

Taoiseach Micheál Martin wants answers from trade chief on golf dinner and recent journeys, as European Commission also investigate

European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan (EPA)

The European Union’s trade commissioner Phil Hogan is under pressure to explain his movements after he was stopped by police in the west of Ireland for driving while using his mobile phone.

Mr Hogan is already facing calls to resign his role as Ireland’s commissioner to the EU after attending a golf dinner with more than 80 people despite coronavirus restrictions on indoor gatherings.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also demanded the commissioner explain whether his recent journeys between different counties in the west of Ireland breached local lockdown rules.

Mr Hogan’s spokesperson said he had been stopped by police on 17 August en route from County Kilkenny to County Kildare to collect “essential” work documents related to EU-US trade negotiations at his apartment, according to the RTE broadcaster.

The spokesperson, who did not say whether he had been charged with any driving offence, insisted no lockdown restrictions had been breached. “The lockdown guidelines for Kildare provide for exceptional travel outside the county to travel to work and home again’.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called on Mr Hogan to give a full account of his movements as well as his attendance at the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last week – which has sparked several days of outrage in Ireland.

“I need absolute ... the public needs absolute assurances that the restrictions that were imposed in Kildare were not breached. That to me would be very, very serious indeed,” said Mr Martin.

His deputy Leo Varadkar added: “It is our view that an apology is welcome but he also needs to account for himself and answer any questions that might arise, not just in relation to the dinner but also in relation to his movements around Ireland... If he can’t do that, then he needs to consider his position.”

The leader of Ireland’s opposition Labour Party, Alan Kelly, said it was now “incumbent” on the taoiseach and his deputy to inform the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen that they “no longer have confidence” in the Irish commissioner.

Ms von der Leyen is said to be following the controversy over Mr Hogan “closely”.

European Commission spokesman Dana Spinant told reporters on Monday: “This is a matter which requires careful assessment on our side … The president has requested further clarifications because details are important and she wishes to have them.”

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier with Phil Hogan (AP)

Mr Hogan has offered a “fulsome and profound apology” for attending the dinner for 81 people on 19 August. “I acknowledge my actions have touched a nerve for the people of Ireland, something for which I am profoundly sorry,” he said.

The country’s housing minister Darragh O’Brien said Mr Hogan should take responsibility for his actions and resign as Ireland’s commissioner.

The “golfgate” scandal has seen deputy leader of the Fianna Fail party Dara Calleary quit as agriculture minister and Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer step down as chair of the upper house of the Irish parliament after they were found to have attended the controversial event.

Police are still investigating whether coronavirus regulations were broken by the hotel in holding the golf society event only a day after the government announced indoor gatherings would be limited to just six people.