years old at the time, was officially pronounced Trade Commissioner. In light of the Oireachtas Golf Society scandal, Hogan resigned as EU Trade Commissioner on 26 August 2020. On Huawei On 17 January 2020, as Donald Trump was held to be bluffing by Hogan over the incompatibility of Five Eyes and Huawei. "I think that is a bit of sabre-rattling. I don’t think that will actually happen... We can call [Trump’s] bluff on that one, the US laying down conditions over Huawei... We can’t say to Huawei, 'you cannot come into the EU', that’s not what we want." Hogan's comments were echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said more diversification was needed "so that we never make ourselves dependent on one firm. I think it is wrong to simply exclude someone per se." Personal life Hogan is separated with one adult son. He is also a keen amateur golfer who has been known to compete internationally in competitions in The Netherlands and Ireland. Controversies On 24 August 2011, during an Oireachtas Golf Society outing, ex-Taoiseach John Bruton's former administrator, Anne O'Connell, alleged that Hogan made a lewd comment in her direction. She immediately complained in writing to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Hogan issued a letter of apology a few days later saying: "I unreservedly apologise for those remarks which were totally inappropriate in a personal sense. . . It was intended in a jocose and private basis and certainly not intended as insulting." On 19 August 2020, Hogan attended an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner with 80 other attendees, while COVID-19 restrictions on such gatherings were in place. Although Hogan had been living in County Kildare—subject to a local lockdown during this time—he claimed that he was fully compliant with restrictions, despite having entered and exited the county on his way to Galway. In the fallout, known as 'Golfgate', a government minister in attendance, Dara Calleary, was forced to resign. Hogan resigned from his role as European Commissioner for Trade on 26 August 2020. On 21 September 2021, it was reported that the European Commission was examining reports that Hogan had taken a job at US lobbyist DLA Piper. The Commission has a code of conduct for former Commissioners, which includes a two-year cooling-off period during which they cannot lobby former colleagues on topics related to the area they oversaw. Hogan's cooling-off period expires in August 2022. References External links