The Indo Daily: From Golf-gate to the UN - is Phil Hogan's return a political gamble?

"From the Seanad, to the Dáil, to the top tiers of the EU in Brussels, the former Fine Gael heavyweight carved out a political career few could match. But in the middle of the Covid crisis, it all came crashing down. In August 2020 he was forced to resign his post as EU trade commissioner following the Golf-gate controversy."

"But now, out of nowhere, he's back. This time he's a contender for a major role at the UN: director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Not only that but he has the full backing of the Irish Government, which includes some of the people who helped usher him out the door in 2020."

"So is this a political phoenix rising from the ashes? Will the public see this appointment as a fresh chapter for Hogan, or a controversial move that could come back to haunt the Government?"

Phil Hogan built a prominent political career spanning the Seanad, Dáil, and EU institutions as a Fine Gael heavyweight. His trajectory was interrupted in August 2020 when he resigned as EU trade commissioner following the Golf-gate controversy, marking a dramatic fall from power. Unexpectedly, Hogan has re-emerged as a candidate for director-general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation. The Irish Government, including officials involved in his 2020 departure, now supports his candidacy. This development raises questions about whether this represents a political comeback or a controversial appointment that could create difficulties for the Government.

Read at Irish Independent