#Golfgate latest: Von der Leyen requests explanation from Phil Hogan; Sinn Féin plays down his Brexit role

The European Commission President has requested further clarification from Phil Hogan having received his report of the Oireachtas Golf incident. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Sinn Féin's leader Mary Lou McDonald has played down the importance of EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan's role in the ongoing Brexit trade deal negotiations. 

The opposition leader has said she is not convinced of Mr Hogan's significance and said the performance of the EU's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, particularly in the last few rounds
of the talks, was of more importance for Ireland.