Callely’s ministerial career will not survive the day

THE ministerial career of embattled Junior Transport Minister Ivor Callely will not survive the day as the Taoiseach prepares to sack him if he does not resign.

Mr Callely has been under intense pressure in recent weeks over the resignations of civil servants from his office and a misguided attempt to stop one of them leave by offering him a car.

Yesterday fresh revelations that John Paul Construction paid for Mr Callely’s Clontarf home to be painted in 1992 have completely put paid to his career.

Mr Callely’s demotion will see his salary of €140,738 drop as his minister’s allowance of €46,533 is immediately withdrawn.

However, there is unlikely to be any further sanction or investigation into the affair since it falls outside the remit of the Standards in Public Office Commission which dates back to 1995.

The matter also falls outside the remit of the Planning Tribunal which last year narrowed its focus to only those events already uncovered by its inquiries.

Mr Callely had been expected to step down yesterday following a lengthy meeting with Bertie Ahern in Government Buildings. However, after speaking with his family, he continued to maintain his innocence. “I have to say I have done nothing wrong,” he said, adding that he was “very angry” about the innuendo he ever influenced the awarding of contracts. “He knows my position. I know he wanted to talk to his family tonight and I’ll deal with it in the morning. I’ve made that very clear and Ivor knows what I’ll do,” Mr Ahern said.

A spokesman for Tánaiste Mary Harney said she had discussed the matter with Mr Ahern.

One factor complicating the removal of Mr Callely is the necessity of a Cabinet meeting in the absence of a voluntary resignation. While Mr Ahern can sack senior ministers, a technicality means junior ministers must be removed by Cabinet agreement. However, if Mr Callely digs his heels in, it is understood Mr Ahern will not hesitate to convene an emergency Cabinet meeting today.