should resign, saying that Hogan's position was a matter for the European Commission. Following initial reluctance, Hogan subsequently apologised for his attendance at the event on 22 August. President of Sinn Féin and Leader of the Opposition, Mary Lou McDonald, heavily criticised both the gathering and the government, stating that the government had "descended into new levels of chaos". McDonald had requested that the Dáil be recalled from its summer recess, but this was initially rejected by Martin. In response, McDonald stated that Martin was wrong, that the government had lost its direction and that it needed to be held to account. McDonald also said that she had been unaware of the existence of an Oireachtas golf society, and questioned the ethics of an organisation that allowed wealthy donors to interact with members of the Oireachtas. The Leader of the Labour Party, Alan Kelly, said that not only had the government lost the confidence of the people, but also that he had rarely seen such public anger in response to a political issue as to the event. The co-leader of the Social Democrats, Catherine Murphy, called the event "inexcusable" and asked for the Dáil to be reconvened. While Martin resisted calls on 21 August to recall the Dáil – which was on summer break – the government announced on Sunday 23 August that the Dáil would return sooner than planned, most likely by Tuesday 15 September. The Garda Síochána announced on 21 August that they would be investigating the event to see if it breached the Health Act 1947, which was amended on 20 March 2020 to include public health regulations pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the immediate wake of the scandal, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl requested that the Oireachtas Golf Society be disbanded with immediate effect. On 22 August the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, used discretionary powers under the 2005 Garda Síochána Act to inform the government that Hogan had been stopped by the Garda Síochána in County Kildare for using a mobile phone while driving – a criminal offence punishable by three penalty points and an €80 fine – on his way to Clifden. Hogan's very presence in the county was an issue in itself, as it was under a local lockdown at the time, meaning that Hogan would have been entitled to travel to the county for essential purposes such as work, but not to