| Author (Corporate) | Cardiff EDC (Compiler) |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2019-2020 |
| Content Type | Overview |
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Summary: Reports, analyses and information on the appointment of Ireland's Phil Hogan as European Commissioner for Trade, in the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen. Mr Hogan resigned as Trade Commissioner on 26 August 2020. Further information: Phil Hogan became one of several Commissioners to carry on as member of the College under the leadership of a new President of the European Commission. Previously holding portfolio relating to agriculture, the Irish politician was nominated by the national government in July 2019. Mr Hogan was formally announced on 9 September by the President of the European Commission. His portfolio was known on the following day, set to lead the Commission on trade matters. Media sources soon highlighted the fact that an Irishman was likely to lead negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) on a new trade relationship following the latter's EU withdrawal. The relevant committees of the European Parliament held a hearing on September to assess Mr Hogan's capabilities to take on the trade portfolio. He was later approved as a candidate for the position. In May 2020, media outlets reported that Phil Hogan was considering a bid to become the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). On 29 June, Mr Hogan announced he was pulling out of the race. Phil Hogan announced his resignation as Trade Commissioner on 26 August 2020 following an outcry over his breaches of COVID-19 (coronavirus) rules during a golfing break in Ireland. Mr Hogan was criticised for not complying with quarantine rules upon his arrival in the country from Brussels, and also for attending a golf dinner with over 80 people in County Galway on 19 August (in what became known as Golfgate). Before his resignation, Mr Hogan was asked to consider his position by Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and his deputy Leo Varadkar. |
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| Subject Categories | Trade |
| Subject Tags | European Commission |
| Countries / Regions | Ireland |
| International Organisations | European Union [EU] |
