A PROBE into allegations of false expense claims by Senator Ivor Callely is expected to be delayed because lawyers are on holiday.

INDEPENDENT Senator Rónán Mullen has harshly criticised a Seanad committee for associating his name with three other senators being investigated over their expenses.

Ivor Callely has been given two weeks by a Seanad Committee to respond to the allegations regarding his mobile phone expenses.

IVOR CALLELY faces a public grilling over the latest expenses controversy after a Seanad watchdog last night launched an investigation into his alleged use of fake receipts to claim up to €3,000.

The Seanad Committee on Members Interests is to give Ivor Callely two weeks to respond to the allegations over his expenses - before deciding if a new inquiry is needed.

Pressure continues to mount on Senator Ivor Callely to make a statement on his expenses.

Complaints surrounding the allowances of two further Fianna Fáil Senators will be considered by the Seanad Members Interests Committee when it meets next week.

SEANAD watchdogs are to fast-track their probe into the forgery allegations engulfing Ivor Callely.

Complaints surrounding the allowances of two further Fianna Fáil Senators will be considered by a Seanad watchdog probing allegations about Ivor Callely’s expenses when it meets next week, it emerged tonight.

THE Ivor Callely expenses saga took an extraordinary twist last night as the senator blamed turmoil in his personal life for the size of his travel claims.

A third Fianna Fáil senator has reportedly been asked by the party to provide an explanation of expense claims.

THE very least you would expect of professional politicians is that they would be able to speak for themselves and be capable of forming a coherent thought.

Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue will lead a parliamentary delegation to Prague today to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Czech Republic.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat Moylan was today formally elected unopposed as Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad.

The new Seanad will meet for the first time today to formally appoint a cathaoirleach and leas-cathaoirleach.

The new Cathaoirleach of the Seanad is expected to be agreed this afternoon at a meeting of Fianna Fáil's 28 senators.

A GOVERNMENT party senator Ann Ormonde admitted to the Mahon Planning Tribunal yesterday she failed to tell a Fianna Fáil party probe she got political donations of nearly £3,000 from Monarch development company.

THE political career of former Clare TD Madeleine Taylor Quinn was in tatters last night when she lost her seat in the Seanad.

The first five seats have been filled in the new Seanad.

Two seats remain on the cultural and educational panel in the new Seanad.

Veteran broadcaster Pascal Mooney has taken the first seat in the new Seanad.