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04/06/2010
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)
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)
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24 August 2010
Callely Given 'More Time To Respond'
Senator Ivor Callely has been granted an extra two weeks to respond to complaints over allegedly fraudulent expenses claims.
Callely Given 'More Time To Respond'
Senator Ivor Callely has been granted an extra two weeks to respond to complaints over allegedly fraudulent expenses claims.
23 August 2010
Committee To Decide Over Callely Case
The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests is expected to announce their decision on how to proceed with the expense fraud accusations against Senator Ivor Callely. So far, the senator has paid back almost €3,000 to Leinster House for the mobile telephony receipts between 2002 and 2007 that were found to have been dated after the company's closure.
Committee To Decide Over Callely Case
The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests is expected to announce their decision on how to proceed with the expense fraud accusations against Senator Ivor Callely. So far, the senator has paid back almost €3,000 to Leinster House for the mobile telephony receipts between 2002 and 2007 that were found to have been dated after the company's closure.
19 November 2010
Callely's Return Slammed As Suspension 'Stands'
Fine Gael has slammed the return of controversial Senator Ivor Callely, who has retaken his seat in the Seanad following a 20 day suspension. Senator Eugene Regan said that Mr Callely's return was not in compliance with the "Ethics in Public Office Act 1995" as Mr Callely had not yet "regularised" his affairs.
Callely's Return Slammed As Suspension 'Stands'
Fine Gael has slammed the return of controversial Senator Ivor Callely, who has retaken his seat in the Seanad following a 20 day suspension. Senator Eugene Regan said that Mr Callely's return was not in compliance with the "Ethics in Public Office Act 1995" as Mr Callely had not yet "regularised" his affairs.
10 August 2010
Callely Handed Two Week Deadline
The under-fire Senator, Ivor Callely, has been given 14 days to explain his controversial expense claims by two separate Government committees. The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests and a Fianna Fáil internal committee have announced two investigations into the latest allegations against Mr Callely.
Callely Handed Two Week Deadline
The under-fire Senator, Ivor Callely, has been given 14 days to explain his controversial expense claims by two separate Government committees. The Seanad Committee on Members' Interests and a Fianna Fáil internal committee have announced two investigations into the latest allegations against Mr Callely.
09 August 2010
Taoiseach Tells Callely 'Consider Position'
The Taoiseach has called on Senator Ivor Callely to "consider his position" over the ongoing expenses scandal he has become embroiled in.
Taoiseach Tells Callely 'Consider Position'
The Taoiseach has called on Senator Ivor Callely to "consider his position" over the ongoing expenses scandal he has become embroiled in.
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