Coveney's nomination to commission moves closer as Hogan gets €440k payoff

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney told the 'Irish Examiner' that he had been preparing to send his children to school and was not focused on any potential job in Brussels. File picture: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos Dublin

Former European trade commissioner Phil Hogan will be entitled to be paid €441,000 before tax over the next two years by the European Commission, as Simon Coveney's nomination to replace him moves closer.

Mr Coveney's nomination for the role vacated after Mr Hogan's resignation could be done as early as this weekend after Tánaiste Leo Varadkar ruled himself out, saying that he wanted to lead Fine Gael into the next election.