Anger over Callely expenses statement
Senator Ivor Callely was accused tonight of defying the Taoiseach’s demands for a full written explanation of his controversial expenses claims.
Instead of detailing the reasons behind his massive €81,000 travel and overnight costs, the former TD asked for a special Oireachtas committee to investigate.
Senator Callely asked for the Select Committee on Members’ Interests to take up the case after Taoiseach Brian Cowen called on his party colleague to explain himself.
Mr Callely said the claims were because he was living in Cork, despite his website stating that he lived in Clontarf, north Dublin, and being politically active in the area.
“I’ve always indicated that I have a west Cork residence, a Clontarf home and a constituency office in Dublin north central and I travel from all three depending on circumstances to fulfil my Seanad duties,” he said.
“I understand that I complied with regulations.
“There are anomalies in the expenses regime, which were a consideration, and I have raised such matters with the Oireachtas.”
Fine Gael Seanad leader Senator Frances Fitzgerald said the three-minute statement defied the Taoiseach’s demands for an explanation.
“All that was offered was a threadbare defence of his claims,” the Senator said.
“The key question now is whether or not Brian Cowen is going to match his tough talk last night on this issue with tough action today.”
Fianna Fáil representative Mr Callely, a former TD for Dublin North Central nominated to the Seanad in 2007, told the house he believed he should be given the chance to explain why he claimed overnight and travel expenses from his west Cork property for two years. He claimed travel and overnight expenses from his house in Kilcrohane, west Cork, a holiday home.
In all he cost the taxpayer €81,000 until late last year when he stopped claiming for staying in the detached picturesque home.
The Oireachtas yesterday published expenses details for all TDs and Senators which showed Mr Callely claimed nothing in March and April, the first two months available to the public under the new open system.
In March, he gave back a cheque for €3,987 and said he wished his expenses and allowances to reflect his actual spending.
“I’m most respectfully requesting that I be afforded the opportunity to go before the select committee on members interest and submit myself to their investigation into this matter and their assessment of any wrongdoing if any,” he said.
The committee does not normally sit in public.
Sinn Féin TD Arthur Morgan said: “This whole controversy is further damaging the perception of politics in Ireland and it is essential that any inquiry into this affair is held in public so that ordinary people can be satisfied that justice has been done.”
The Senator said there was a full file of documents clearly showing his position from the time of his appointment.
He said reports so far on his financial claims did not give the full picture.
No stranger to controversy, Mr Callely lost his post as a junior transport minister in 2005 following scandal over work done on his house.
John Paul Construction had paid for the painting of the Senator’s home in Clontarf during the early 1990s. The construction company paid sub-contractor Philip Lambert directly and the connections brought an end to Mr Callely’s junior ministerial career.
The Senator was also embroiled in a garda investigation after his yacht was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run in Baltimore harbour, off Cork.
His boat Serendipity II reportedly collided with two vessels and caused €40,000 worth of damage. It is understood he was tracked down, helped with inquiries and passed on his insurance details.
t is understood the Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the Senator’s request and options for an inquiry under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
Fianna Fáil said it took the Senator’s expenses issue very seriously and it must be addressed comprehensively and transparently.
“The Taoiseach is happy for this committee to examine all the relevant documentation and to reach a determination. He hopes that the Committee will be in a position to do so without delay,” the party said.
“In order to expedite the Committee’s consideration of this issue, the Taoiseach believes it would be helpful if the Senator furnished a detailed statement as soon as possible to the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann Pat Moylan, as chair of that committee."
