EU trade commissioner Phil Hogan has resigned after the Irish government accused him of breaching Covid-19 guidelines.
Mr Hogan attended a golf dinner with more than 80 people in County Galway on 19 August.
He was also criticised for not complying with quarantine rules when he arrived in Ireland from Brussels.
Mr Hogan said he did not break any law but he “should have been more rigorous” in adherence to the Covid guidelines.
In a resignation statement, the outgoing commissioner said he regretted his trip to Ireland had “caused such concern, unease and upset”.
“I reiterate my heartfelt apology to the Irish people for the mistakes I made during my visit,” he added.
The leaders of the Republic of Ireland’s governing coalition had said the commissioner had clearly breached guidelines and he should have restricted his movement for 14 days.
They said he should also have limited his movements to and from Kildare for essential travel only, and he should not have attended the golf dinner.
Following news of the resignation, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said it was “the correct course of action given the circumstances of the past week”.
“We all have a responsibility to support and adhere to public health guidelines and regulations,” it continued.
READ ALSO: LASU Senate Elects Prof. Elias Wahab As Deputy VC
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said she was grateful for Mr Hogan’s “tireless work as a trade commissioner”.
“He was a valuable and respected member of the college,” she said. “I wish him all the best for the future.”
