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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said he does not believe that former EU Commissioner Phil Hogan was treated like a “criminal” in the aftermath of Golfgate.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, Hogan said he was treated like a “criminal” stating that a media “mob” engulfed him during the controversy of the Oireachtas Golf Society event in 2020.
Hogan has also suggested that he may seek compensation from the European Commission over his resignation amid the Golfgate controversy.
Hogan resigned from the trade commissioner role in August 2020 after attending the Oireachtas Golf Society dinner and as revelations about his movements during severe pandemic restrictions emerged.
The resignation followed a demand from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to account for his time in Ireland around the society event.
When asked in Berlin if he agrees with Hogan’s comments that he was treated like a “criminal”, the Taoiseach responded: “I don’t believe so.”
“I think the issue that Phil raised is one between the European Commission.
“He’s paid a very heavy price for the situation at the time. He was a diligent and effective Commissioner.
“But as I said before, there was a context to that time as well, in terms of where the public were in terms of adherence to the guidance and the spirit of the Covid-19 guidance.
“Fundamentally, I haven’t read the interview but I heard feedback from it in terms of what has been articulated and fundamentally, it’s a matter between the Commission and Phil Hogan,” he said.
When asked if he or the Tánaiste will reflect on their actions as regards Hogan’s position and the controversy at the time, Martin said:
“I have reflected on that, I’ve been very clear from the beginning on that. I’ve never looked at this issue through the narrow prism of a legal channel or a court situation, rather looked at it from a broader situation of public trust.”
He said it was an “issue of trust” adding that the actions of Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary stepping down as minister at the time “actually did a lot to maintain that trust between government and the people”.
Political Correspondent Christina Finn reporting from Berlin
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Que the Benny Hill music…again..
@Anthony Healy Poroloniczak: Sorry..hate to do this….Hate when its done to me. But…what that hell does “Que” mean. French or Spanish?;)
@Donal Proctor: oh that should have been Cue
@Anthony Healy Poroloniczak: ;) Im a dyslexic blunder bus with the phone too.
@Donal Proctor: you guys better get a moor.
@Donal Proctor: damn technology haha
@EdmundOrlando: seen what u done there
covfefe
Talk about an actual loose cannon……
Someone from the US suggested I watch a documentary called ‘The Brainwashing Of My Dad’ it was a real eye opener on how certain media behave when it comes to promoting their own agenda.
What happened to the lawyer he had last week?
@Dave O Keeffe: The lawyers lawyer probably told him to quit…
I’d say he doesn’t know what day of the week it is half the time.
What FBI? I heard a rumour they’ve ALL been fired.
What is happening to confuse so nobody knows what is going on. They say one thing but the other thing is happening.
Didn’t Sekulow say that Trumps tweet about him being investigated was in response – not to a formal notification from authorities- but to newspaper reports that he was being investigated. But Sekulow was out foxed by the Fox News reporter in the interview when he mentioned the investigation – I would not like to be working for Trump
Coookcoooo Coooookcoooooo…
There is clear and mounting evidence that Comey was the primary source of leaked information to the media.
@Tommy Browne: how do you reckon that? It has been happening more and more since he was fired
@Tommy Browne: Well we know he leaked his memo to Schmidt @NYT via Columbia Professor. I wonder if this the same route for the January 20th NYT article?
@Tommy Browne:
Perhaps you could share your ‘evidence’ with the rest of us?
@Joe Caulfield: that article has been debunked more times than you’ve mentioned it but your brain can’t quite grasp reality
Also, the poor young fella seems to be an Arsenal fan
Trump needs to hide some obscure know it all from the comments section in the journal to help him run the USA. Oops sorry Trump doesn’t do fourth world country keyboard warriors!
@John Dillon: At least we can spell…
@John Dillon: and you’re here too moron
I would be Trumped off also if I had an IQ of 177 like you Mensa Dave and nothing but a keyboard to vent my frustrations on society oink!
@John Dillon: I meant in a “fourth world country” you seem to be the only one annoyed though. Loving Trump so much that you’re willing to insult your own country
Waiting for the puff of smoke from the grassy knoll!!!!!!
I’d say Pence is ironing his shirt
Haha!!!
have your say