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23/08/2010
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.
Senator Callely is believed to have requested additional time to allow a more detailed response to the accusations, which also include controversial travel claims and the non-declaration of some property interests.
Fine Gael Seanad Justice Spokesman Senator Eugene Regan has this morning called on the Taoiseach to seek Ivor Callely’s resignation from the Seanad over the expenses revelations.
Senator Regan was speaking following reports that Senator Callely received €87,000 in mileage expenses over two years, while living centrally in Dublin. This is in addition to previous revelations about €81,000 claimed on misrepresentation of his normal place of residence as west Cork, and €3,000 of invoices for mobile phones, which the Committee of Members’ Interests of the Seanad is currently examining.
“Up to this point in time Taoiseach Brian Cowen has not been willing to make the express call for Senator’s Callely’s resignation. The time has come for the Taoiseach to do so publicly," Senator Regan said.
He added: “The Taoiseach should seek Ivor Callely’s resignation from the Seanad. Brian Cowen has to date held back from expressly calling for Senator Callely’s resignation, which no doubt has given encouragement to the Senator to hold on to his Seanad position to the bitter end.
Mr Regan went on to say that Fine Gael believed Senator Callely should not be in the Seanad and that as a Taoiseach’s nominee, if Brian Cowen called for his resignation Senator Callely’s position in the Seanad would be "completely untenable".
The committee will also consider complaints regarding expenses claimed by Senator Larry Butler and Senator Ann Ormonde.
It will also consider a complaint against Independent Senator Rónán Mullen over an anecdote he told about the expenses regime.
The four senators facing complaints have all responded to an initial request from the committee to provide information by today's deadline.
(DW/GK)
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.
Senator Callely is believed to have requested additional time to allow a more detailed response to the accusations, which also include controversial travel claims and the non-declaration of some property interests.
Fine Gael Seanad Justice Spokesman Senator Eugene Regan has this morning called on the Taoiseach to seek Ivor Callely’s resignation from the Seanad over the expenses revelations.
Senator Regan was speaking following reports that Senator Callely received €87,000 in mileage expenses over two years, while living centrally in Dublin. This is in addition to previous revelations about €81,000 claimed on misrepresentation of his normal place of residence as west Cork, and €3,000 of invoices for mobile phones, which the Committee of Members’ Interests of the Seanad is currently examining.
“Up to this point in time Taoiseach Brian Cowen has not been willing to make the express call for Senator’s Callely’s resignation. The time has come for the Taoiseach to do so publicly," Senator Regan said.
He added: “The Taoiseach should seek Ivor Callely’s resignation from the Seanad. Brian Cowen has to date held back from expressly calling for Senator Callely’s resignation, which no doubt has given encouragement to the Senator to hold on to his Seanad position to the bitter end.
Mr Regan went on to say that Fine Gael believed Senator Callely should not be in the Seanad and that as a Taoiseach’s nominee, if Brian Cowen called for his resignation Senator Callely’s position in the Seanad would be "completely untenable".
The committee will also consider complaints regarding expenses claimed by Senator Larry Butler and Senator Ann Ormonde.
It will also consider a complaint against Independent Senator Rónán Mullen over an anecdote he told about the expenses regime.
The four senators facing complaints have all responded to an initial request from the committee to provide information by today's deadline.
(DW/GK)
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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.
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.
08 September 2010
Callely To Seek Damages In Court
Senator Ivor Callely is to seek damages along from the High Court over his expulsion from the Fianna Fail party over his allegedly misleading expenses claims.
Callely To Seek Damages In Court
Senator Ivor Callely is to seek damages along from the High Court over his expulsion from the Fianna Fail party over his allegedly misleading expenses claims.
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