President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she respects the resignation of Phil Hogan on Wednesday night.
In a televised statement, Ms von der Leyen said she is "very grateful" to Mr Hogan for his "tireless and successful work" as a commissioner and as a member of the College of Commissioners.
Hogan resigned on Wednesday following intense criticism which ensued after his golf-gate appearance.
Mr Hogan was slammed after it emerged he and 80 others attended an Oireachtas golf society event in Clifden, Co Galway, last Wednesday - despite newly introduced public health guidelines.
He released a statement on Wednesday night confirming his resignation from the top EU job.
Speaking last night Von der Leyen said she accepted the embattled politician's resignation and asked the Irish government to nominate a man and a woman as possible candidates to take over his job.
She said: "I thank him warmly for his valuable contribution to the work of the Commission, not only in this mandate, but also in the previous mandate where he was the commissioner in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development," she added.
"Over the past days, I discussed with Phil Hogan about his movements in Ireland in light of information that emerged regarding respect of public health guidelines in Ireland.
"In the current circumstances, as Europe fights to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and Europeans make sacrifices and accept painful restrictions, I expect the members of the College to be particularly vigilant about compliance with applicable national or regional rules or recommendations."
"It is now up to the Irish government to present suitable candidates for a Commissioner of Irish nationality.
"As in the past I will ask the Irish government to propose a woman and a man.
"At a later stage I will decide on the final allocation of portfolios in the College of Commissioners.
