Calley Faces Expulsion Over Expenses

The expenses row surrounding Fianna Fail Senator Ivor Calley may lead to his expulsion form the party, after the launch of an investigation into his claims.

The race is on for the senator to provide the Taoiseach with a satisfactory explanation for his €81,000 travelling expenses, however, his explanations up to now have been met with unconvinced responses from the Government hierarchy.

Yesterday morning Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin said the answers given by Mr Callely were "not very clear".

Speaking at a website in Dublin, Ms Hanafin said: "I think Senator Callely has to explain the situation to the Senate Select Committee [on Members’ Interests].

"There are serious questions being asked and I believe he should be absolutely upfront and clear about it."

This morning, Opposition spokesman, Fine Gael's Senator Eugene Regan kept up the pressure on the Government claiming the Taoiseach had defended the "indefensible" in recent years when similar accusations were levied at Bertie Ahern, Willie O’Dea and Frank Fahey.

"It now looks like Ivor Callely is the next Fianna Fáil buddy that Brian Cowen is going to defend," Senator Regan said.

Mr Regan added: “It now seems that Brian Cowen is going to show a similar lack of judgement and is going to stand over the expenses claimed by Senator Callely from his holiday home in West Cork. Twice in two days Senator Callely has defied the Taoiseach’s calls for a full and complete public statement on the affair, not to mention his rejection of calls from his Senate colleagues to do the same.

“If the Taoiseach is to show any leadership on this issue he should at least remove the Fianna Fáil Party Whip from Senator Callely.

On Monday, Taoiseach Brian Cowen insisted Mr Callely provide a written report on the matter to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Pat Moylan.

The Dublin-based Senator had claimed overnight and travel expenses from his west Cork property for two years. Mr Callely, a former TD for Dublin North Central, maintains his Dublin home and constituency office in Clontarf, and both are referred to on his website.

Mr Callely yesterday asked for the Select Committee on Members’ Interests to assess his case after Taoiseach Brian Cowen called on him to explain himself.

The senator said reports so far on his financial claims did not give the full picture and he looked forward to a speedy and satisfactory resolution of the controversy.

(DW/BMcC)