EU Commissioner Phil Hogan has issued an apology for his appearance at an Oireachtas Golf Society Dinner in Galway on Wednesday night that was in breach of Covid-19 regulations.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr. Hogan says he apologises "fully and unreservedly", while also acknowledging that his actions "touched a nerve for the people of Ireland".
Mr Hogan had been asked to consider his position by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, with Mr. Hogan saying in his statement that he spoke with them both yesterday and that he "listened carefully to their views", which he "respects".
Cork Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer resigned as Laas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and Fianna Fáil's Dara Calleary resigned as Agriculture Minister in the wake of the event in Clifden, Co. Galway which was attended by 81 people, running contrary to public health guidelines.
Mr Hogan's statement in full reads:
"I wish to apologise fully and unreservedly for attending the Oireachtas golf society dinner on Wednesday night last.
"I want, in particular, to apologise to the wonderful healthcare workers, who continue to put their lives on the line to combat Covid 19 and all people who have lost loved ones during this pandemic.
"I acknowledge my actions have touched a nerve for the people of Ireland, something for which I am profoundly sorry.
"I realise fully the unnecessary stress, risk and offense caused to the people of Ireland by my attendance at such an event, at such a difficult time for all, and I am extremely sorry for this.
"I acknowledge that the issue is far bigger than compliance with rules and regulations and adherence to legalities and procedures. All of us must display solidarity as we try to stamp out this common plague.
"I thus offer this fulsome and profound apology, at this difficult time for all people, as the world as a whole combats Covid 19.
"I spoke to both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste yesterday and I have listened carefully to their views, which I respect. I have been reporting to the President of the European Commission on all these matters in recent days."
