PHIL HOGAN NEEDS TO RESIGN.

ChikiChiki

First Up wrote: »

He has himself to blame. No sympathy for him but its a very unfortunate development for Ireland. An Irish Trade Commissioner was both moral and very practical support for us leading into EU-UK trade negotiations.

It would be a diplomatic triumph for his successor to get the same portfolio but a shuffle is more likely. We (he) blew it and we will be made suffer.

Hard work ahead; the livelehoods of some of those celebrating Hogan's downfall very likely depend on it.

He actually seems like a proud Irishman. Mentioned "Ireland where I'm from" twice in his webinar with some saying about a horse jumping a fence.:o

Leo could have an eye on Europe.

L1011

Hurrache wrote: »

Do you think? I'd have thought the EU will decide his replacement in that role.

His replacement has to be another Commissioner.

They are not going to do a reshuffle a year and a bit in. Unless we try send a donkey, they're getting Trade.

titan18

We're a nation of idiots imo.

Fann Linn

LordBasil wrote: »

Regarding Phil Hogan's replacement as Ireland's EU Commissioner, my money would be on Leo Varadkar.

Micheal Martin would love to get Varadkar out and end this unprecedented situation where we have a current and former Taoiseach serving in cabinet together, the now vacant Irish EU Commissioner role offers him a golden opportunity to do this.

The commission portfolios were decided by Ursula Von de Leyen according to geography, political background and gender in order to maintain balance. Hogan's replacement should ideally be male, Fine Gael/EPP. Varadkar being gay and half-Indian would also add more diversity to the commission. Also Varadkar's background with Brexit negotiations would increase chances of Ireland retaining the much coveted Trade portfolio.

Varadkar has also previously said that he doesn't see himself involved in Irish politics by his 50s, the EU commission role could be an ideal escape....

And according to a political journalist about the only constituency where they could practically hold the seat.

lostatsea

LordBasil wrote: »

Regarding Phil Hogan's replacement as Ireland's EU Commissioner, my money would be on Leo Varadkar.

Micheal Martin would love to get Varadkar out and end this unprecedented situation where we have a current and former Taoiseach serving in cabinet together, the now vacant Irish EU Commissioner role offers him a golden opportunity to do this.

The commission portfolios were decided by Ursula Von de Leyen according to geography, political background and gender in order to maintain balance. Hogan's replacement should ideally be male, Fine Gael/EPP. Varadkar being gay and half-Indian would also add more diversity to the commission. Also Varadkar's background with Brexit negotiations would increase chances of Ireland retaining the much coveted Trade portfolio.

Varadkar has also previously said that he doesn't see himself involved in Irish politics by his 50s, the EU commission role could be an ideal escape....

That's a perfect call.

JustAThought

Why is he allowed resign and keep his 5k a month or more pension?

Why is he not being fired in disgrace and save the taxpayer the cost of paying him not to work at our expense.

Its a bit like paying prisoners in jail the dole for not working.

L1011

JustAThought wrote: »

Why is he allowed resign and keep his 5k a month or more pension?

Why is he not being fired in disgrace and save the taxpayer the cost of paying him not to work at our expense.

Its a bit like paying prisoners in jail the dole for not working.

If he was fired, he would have exactly the same pension entitlements.

Fann Linn

titan18 wrote: »

We're a nation of idiots imo.

Why? because the same Phil was thinking of heading off only two months ago anyway.

He's no loss.

Sir Oxman

Fann Linn wrote: »

And according to a political journalist about the only constituency where they could practically hold the seat.

I think that journalist was talking out their hoop tbh

LordBasil

LawBoy2018 wrote: »

LV is the main reason why FG have grown in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. They're hardly going to want/allow him to fak off to the EU + leave the party with a leader as stale as Simon Coveney.

He was also the main reason they lost the GE in February. Him leaving would open up an opportunity for someone else. Coveney is weakened by being from the same constituency as MM so someone else would likely get the job, I think they'd go for Pascal Donohue as they'd want a Dubliner as leader and Pascal is respected both home and abroad... see his recent election the Chair of the Eurogroup of Finance Ministers.

First Up

L1011 wrote:

They are exceptionally unlikely to reshuffle the Commission. We get to replace him.

I'm not sure about that. UVDL probably already has a shortlist of Commissioners deserving promotion. Will she wait while we decide who to nominate (not straightforward with a coalition) and then the vetting process?

Plus she may well be inclined to rub our noses in a mess of our own making. Nor will some other member states be shy about pushing their man/woman. We're not the only country interested in that job.

An Ri rua

Phil would make a great Minister for Agriculture. Knows a good deal about it apparently.

LawBoy2018

Sir Oxman wrote: »

I think that journalist was talking out their hoop tbh

1000%, Ruth Coppinger would be a shoo-in.

Lundstram

Didn't know much about this guy before all this kicked off but 7 days on him has been an eye-opener. Arrogant, entitled and cocky are some of the nicer words I'd use to describe him. He has the oral grace of a drunk and I'd be a bit embarrassed that he was representing us in Brussels.

Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out.

L1011

First Up wrote: »

I'm not sure about that. UVDL probably already has a shortlist of Commissioners deserving promotion. Will she wait while we decide who to nominate (not straightforward with a coalition) and then the vetting process?

Plus she may well be inclined to rub our noses in a mess of our own making. Nor will some other member states be shy about pushing their man/woman. We're not the only country interested in that job.

This does not happen often - so there is no reason you'd have a "shortlist". Commissioners are given it for the five year term. Other countries can push all they want; its not a normal thing for a reshuffle.

Basically, unless we send some Councillor or something, we keep Trade.

Dempo1

L1011 wrote: »

His replacement has to be another Commissioner.

They are not going to do a reshuffle a year and a bit in. Unless we try send a donkey, they're getting Trade.

Irish examiner reporting Simon Coveney in line for the job albeit he's no commissioner, wonder will his government merc and driver be an obstacle, not sure he can bring them with him. Might be a good choice if only to save €1 million a year placating his hypocrisy.

LawBoy2018

LordBasil wrote: »

He was also the main reason they lost the GE in February. Him leaving would open up an opportunity for someone else. Coveney is weakened by being from the same constituency as MM so someone else would likely get the job, I think they'd go for Pascal Donohue as they'd want a Dubliner as leader and Pascal is respected both home and abroad... see his recent election the Chair of the Eurogroup of Finance Ministers.

No he wasn't? FG policies + a series of monumental fcuk ups were the downfall of FG in the last election. His popularity has grown quite a bit since then. Paschal has said that he doesn't want to be Taoiseach but Simon definitely does.

Dual wheels

jm08 wrote: »

Id say Leo sights are higher than being a Commissioner. More Like President of the Council or Commission.

Leo has a very high opinion of himself

There’s talk of Richard Bruton being out forward for the position

FarmerBrowne

Oh dear Phil, did the sacking touch a nerve with you, you arrogant, condescending pr!ck.

boardise

titan18 wrote: »

We're a nation of idiots imo.

A sizable number seem to be in the grip of a collective neurosis.
Those who predicted mental health problems arising out the virus scene have been proved horribly right .

Dempo1

LawBoy2018 wrote: »

No he wasn't? FG policies + a series of monumental fcuk ups were the downfall of FG in the last election. His popularity has grown quite a bit since then. Paschal has said that he doesn't want to be Taoiseach but Simon definitely does.

Agreed, Hogan was shipped out long before election, anyone remember his last F€&K up? Water charges

McMurphy

An Ri rua wrote: »

Phil would make a great Minister for Agriculture. Knows a good deal about it apparently.

Do the travellers have a minister?

He'd be perfect, Phil did so much travelling here over a few days in the space of a few weeks he must know every hole in every hedge from Limerick to Dublin, and across to Galway again.

caveat emptor

LordBasil wrote: »

Regarding Phil Hogan's replacement as Ireland's EU Commissioner, my money would be on Leo Varadkar.

Micheal Martin would love to get Varadkar out and end this unprecedented situation where we have a current and former Taoiseach serving in cabinet together, the now vacant Irish EU Commissioner role offers him a golden opportunity to do this.

The commission portfolios were decided by Ursula Von de Leyen according to geography, political background and gender in order to maintain balance. Hogan's replacement should ideally be male, Fine Gael/EPP. Varadkar being gay and half-Indian would also add more diversity to the commission. Also Varadkar's background with Brexit negotiations would increase chances of Ireland retaining the much coveted Trade portfolio.

Varadkar has also previously said that he doesn't see himself involved in Irish politics by his 50s, the EU commission role could be an ideal escape....

Fvck, bring back Phil. You might just be right. I don't know who I trust less to be honest. The Belgian's won't know what to think of him with all the house parties and bags of cans.

TBH it looked like a massive political takedown. Phil showed blatant disregard for the rules and left himself open. If he had of just applied a bit of humility and observed the albeit archaic rules we wouldn't be here. Public health is more serious than any golf game and he should have known it.

Mantis Toboggan

JustAThought wrote: »

Why is he allowed resign and keep his 5k a month or more pension?

Why is he not being fired in disgrace and save the taxpayer the cost of paying him not to work at our expense.

Its a bit like paying prisoners in jail the dole for not working.

That's a disgrace.

Big pension for the big idiot.

titan18

Fann Linn wrote: »

Why? because the same Phil was thinking of heading off only two months ago anyway.

He's no loss.

No, cos half the country seemed to spend a week campaigning to get him fired despite plenty of those people breaking restrictions themselves.

An Ri rua

Anyone have any SF canvassing? Just had them to my door. Thanking us for our support....

Now she was a very lovely woman but her mind-reading skills were poor.

Castlekeeper

Surely there's an one outstanding and obvious choice for Ireland's nominee as European Commissioner, Gerry Adams.
It would display remarkable magnanimity and inclusivity from An Taoiseach and reassure all those that feel we need an experienced negotiator and "strongman" in Europe for dealing with upcoming Brexit and Trade deals.

Dempo1

boardise wrote: »

A sizable number seem to be in the grip of a collective neurosis.
Those who predicted mental health problems arising out the virus scene have been proved horribly right .

I've just been speaking to myself, now we're was I

gmisk

An Ri rua wrote: »

Phil would make a great Minister for Agriculture. Knows a good deal about it apparently.

A bit of an issue...he would have to get elected first......can't see him being too popular after this
Plus I think he had a massive falling out with the ICMSA so much so they wouldn't deal with him any longer

An Ri rua

Dual wheels wrote: »

Leo has a very high opinion of himself

There’s talk of Richard Bruton being out forward for the position

Great choice. The Brutons, even though only humble farmers, speak French don't you know!!