Ireland’s EU Commissioner Phil Hogan (left) and Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe
This morning.
RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne.
"I think he's been a good Commissioner, I can't say I don't have confidence in him as a European Commissioner" Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD says of @PhilHoganEU, but adds people are rightly "furious" at what has happened. | https://t.co/H0S75l6aAs pic.twitter.com/cEe9NAD7kH
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 24, 2020
The Taoiseach said he made it clear to Mr Hogan in a phone call the anger on the ground over the golf society dinner.
Mr Martin said given there is a discrepancy between Mr Hogan’s statements, he needs to know that the restrictions in Kildare were not breached.
He said the information on Mr Hogan being stopped in Kildare was passed to the Department of Justice by the Garda Commissioner, which is at his discretion, but it raised concerns that a breach of restrictions may have possibly occurred.
….The Taoiseach said Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe should not have been at the event, but this is something the judiciary needs to look at.
Tapiseach To Discuss Return Of Dáil (RTÉ)
Meanwhile….
Midlands North-West MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan told Newstalk that Commissioner Hogan’s position is no longer tenable.
“Micheál Martin got rid of Dara Calleary for doing the exact same thing,” he said.
“So now Micheál Martin needs to talk to [Ursula Von der Leyen and tell her that Phil Hogan needs to be removed from his position.e,
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett noted that Judge Woulfe would have had a clear understanding of COVID-19 guidelines through both his current position and his former position as Attorney General of the previous Government.
“The former Attorney General now Supreme Court Judge had signed off on the emergency legislation around COVID-19 and would have been familiar in detail with the public health restrictions and yet was involved in a flagrant violation of those restrictions,” he said.
“It is completely untenable that he would not be held to account for that.”
Increasing Calls For Phil Hogan And Séamus Woulfe To Resign (Newstalk)
Saturday: Woulfe Trapped
Meanwhile…
Martin also uttered the 'slippery slope' incantation.
He did not, of course, elaborate where this slippery slope of judicial accountability is going beyond vague and sinister references to Poland/Hungary
But as we should know the slippery slope spell doesn't require elaboration
— Cian Ó Concubhair (@CianOConcubhair) August 24, 2020
In fairness.
No word from Helen McEntee, Justice Minister. I hope she doesn’t try side-step all of this, especially when Garda Harris made it his business to advise her (Department – so ‘her’ in other words) . She’ll go right down in my estimation if she does, and I’d expected big things from her. Regina Doherty’s taking the Meath mantle so far.
Then again https://www.finegael.ie/minister-mcentee-congratulates-commissioner-phil-hogan-on-his-appointment-as-eu-trade-commissioner/
It would be difficult to go back on such a glowing reference.
The Garda Commissioner passing on information for political reasons is really getting brushed aside here.
As is the Justice minister now.
True that. Mick Wallace will be turning on his balcony.
How come Phil didn’t get penalty points?
is it because it’s just easier not to put them on the system now then have someone report you for taking them off? I guess not much has changed despite the efforts of McCabe.
There could be an honest explanation.
Like that when the guard pulled him over he actually had one of those squeaky dog toys in the shape of a phone.
I think there’s two further revelations waiting to come out of this scandal:
1) That the bar didn’t close until very > 11:30pm
2) The photo of Phil being awarded his George Foreman grill while shaking Donnie’s hand and laughing at us all.
Maybe he’s no longer on an Irish driving licence and had switched to a Belgian one? Or does he have diplomatic immunity as a member of the European Commission?
Ah would ye all cop on
As if Pig Fill (hat tip Otis Blue btw) was in anyway amenable to a call from Michéal Martin
I’d stay if he took the call at all, he took it when he was on the loo with a follow up full flush,
or while follying the Wexford County Final
telling his MM to whisht n’all
Get to know these lads ffs, then ye’ll know their next move
Absolutely. Hogan isn’t going anywhere until he is sacked. The scandal is a very domestic one and won’t carry much weight in Brussels. I haven’t the faintest idea how difficult it is to dismiss an EU Commissioner, but I suspect the answer is “very difficult indeed” and he is counting on the sclerotic institutions of Brussels thinking it all far more trouble than it’s worth, together with a general sense of there but for the Grace of God…
If the government said they no longer had confidence in him the Ursula would show him the door.
I would be very keen to know what’s being said on the back-channels between Dublin and Brussels. The Government won’t say they have no confidence unless it’s all agreed with von der Leyen, as that would be utterly humiliating, so really it’s up to her in any case. There may be push-back from Brussels as the Treaties say that a Member State cannot recall a Commissioner, so it may be viewed as setting a dangerous precedent if they can do it de facto by expressing loss of confidence.
Having looked at the Treaties, the only way to “compulsorily retire” him is for the Council or the Commission to apply to the European Court of Justice to remove him on the basis that has been “guilty of serious misconduct”.
I would agree that he is unlikely to out-brazen the President of the Commission, if she were to show him the door.
Jonathon Hill-now Lord-recently resigned,due domestic political issues.
“I have tried to convince Lord Hill to stay on as commissioner. I consider him to be a true European and not just the British commissioner. However, I understand his decision and I respect it,” Juncker.
“recently”
Worth adding that Johnathon Hill was a professional lobbyist long before he was engaged by the Torys as a Special Adviser
and was a reluctant Nominee in the first place, having never ran for an election in his life
Mortifying Cameron in an rising anti EU wave, he made a hames of his confirmation hearings so they gave him some coaching and Juncker held his hand and give him a second go
Whereas Phil played a blinder, not even Ming could unhinge him
Such was the shy Lord’s nerves and political ability, the Brexit side went to town on him
and as soon as the Vote was done and dusted he scarpered back to the House, and his PR company
Probably a key talking point in the ‘Where did it all go wrong’ for Cameron’s Stay campaign. In fairness.
Point is, there was no dodgy parking fines or Au Pair stories that triggered Hills resignation, it was Brexit and that he was a half arsed appointment in the first place
….all day every day almost every post-its become a rather unhealthy obsession bro,all this unrequited attention is making me more that a little uncomfortable.
Its all day every day bro,i’ve no interest in engaging,that means no,its not a failure to comprehend now is it bro-you just don’t like NO.
No interest means NO-it really is that simple Bro.
do you want some time to think about it?
Why don’t you post a more “recent” example then Bro-instead trolling me all day,every post.
I’ve made it clear to bodger and to you that your stalking my posts and making me incredibly uncomfortable,last week you accused me of being a convicted sexual predator – again- and implored John to ban me….
John seems fine with that – so it’s all yours bro -enjoy,thankfully in the real world there are laws to protect people from likes you.
It’s every post ever day-it’s just so boring and old.
hypocritical much, johnny?
-yesterday,….i would be getting an order of protection this morning,its all drivel bro,total nonsense-why would i engage with this vomit ?
*sighs ruefully*
johnny, I’m trying my best to be your friend
wont you have me ?
this is emotional bullying, johnny
but i’m strong’
all day every day every post-last week again,you insinuated that I am a convicted sex offender from NI- imploring John to ban me,celebrating my mates Mary’s ban-your grandiose and think you have ‘protect’ the ‘sheet,you and your little crew chase people away-it’s NOT your comments section Bro.
last week again yet another of your many sources but no links/backups,this time in the Dept Of Education,as usual you were scaremongering and spreading falsehoods for attention.
enough bro-ok-your stalking me online -as i’ve stated numerous times, your immature and childish trolling is unwarranted-so where is your link to a more ‘recent’ resignation-0ah of course you don’t have one-DUH
I’m out gone-lots Irish publications more than happy to run Johnny Green-you cover weed on here Bro all yours.
tantrum over ?
She will in her (x_x)
EU and other International Top Tables and Appointments are a safe ground for anyone with domestic issues
ahem Christine Lagarde, Nóirín O’Sullivan
The only time local behaviour caused the EU Commissioners Grief was, another Mná btw, Edit Cresson
(Open to correction btw)
Plenty stuff in the parliamentary level alright, mainly financial, to be expected I suppose,
But this top tier of Non-Electeds are bullet proof
They are a Monarchy of their own design and for their own protection
worst.
government.
ever.
best thing ever happen SF-no Phil no don’t resign please,please, to hell with the public and voters Big Phil,stay as a reminder:)
how the greens holding up-gone wobbly yet ?
Flip Flop.
From telling Hogan that he must 2 consider his position”
to
“I think he’s been a good Commissioner, I can’t say I don’t have confidence in him as a European Commissioner”
Poo or get off the toilet. How confident can one be of someone that tells half-truths and has to be dragged scereaming and kicking to get an apology of sorts, while flouting the laws of the land?
Why has the OGS not been disbanded yet? It stinks of Galway Tent style politics and this overt display of arrogance and entitlement during a time of supposed national unity should be its death knell.
Hogan giving the two fingers to the EU? He just can’t help himself – can’t give the full story in one go and Von Leyen, after receiving the explanation from Hogan has to request further details
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0824/1160880-phil-hogan/
I hope she’s asking him (and his staff in Europe mind you) why his Diary is blank for instance, while other commissioners are completed. Transparency is a buzzword in the EU. Can Hogan ride roughshod over the EU like he does to the paddywhackery government here?
Maybe, too, she will ask him about what, if any, important EU documents he left lying about in Kildare, and as well, in Clifden. I have my doubts there were any.
Personal belongings = golf clubs
Essential documents = passport
He actually thought he was Director General material for the WTO (Until Von der Leyen put him straight).
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/hogan/announcements/statement-commissioner-phil-hogan-election-new-wto-director-general_en
A pretty long-winded explanation from him why he pulled out. A bit longer than the explanation about his Golf Outing antics I’d think.
Phil Hogan has been failing upwards for most of his career. This time next week, he’ll have fired Van Der Leyden and taken over the job himself.