'Big Phil' facing into his toughest cattle herding challenge yet
When Phil Hogan moved back from Cork after his graduation from UCC to run the family farm in south Kilkenny, he could hardly have imagined that one day, he would emerge as one of the small group of key players around the President of the European Commission and in pole position to help determine the future relationship between Britain and the rest of the EU.
As Trade Commissioner, the former Government Minister – who took more than his share of the flak during his period in ministerial office – will find himself right in the thick of it as efforts are put in place to craft a new relationship, assuming Brexit goes ahead, and as the existing world trade order comes under increased pressure from the 'America First' administration in Washington DC.
