'I Am Profoundly Sorry' - EU Trade Commissioner Over COVID-19 Breach

The Trade Commissioner of the European Union (EU), Phil Hogan, has expressed regret over a breach of COVID-19 protocol following his attendance of the Irish parliamentary golf society dinner.

There have been calls for his resignation after the commissioner attended the event graced a cabinet minister, a supreme court judge, and a number of other parliamentarians on Wednesday.

The event comes 24 hours after the Irish Government declared a new status of the country's coronavirus restrictions.

Dublin has stated that there should be no “formal or informal events or parties” following the report of fresh cases.

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In his statement, Hogan said, “I wish to apologise fully and unreservedly for attending.

“I acknowledge my actions have touched a nerve for the people of Ireland, something for which I am profoundly sorry.”

Other attendees, like the Deputy Chairman of the upper chamber of the Irish Parliament, Jerry Buttimer, and the Minister of Agriculture, Dara Calleary, have resigned.