Transfers from Callely’s office described as a ‘private matter’

THE Department of Transport yesterday refused to comment on staff who have left or who have sought transfers from the office of junior minister Ivor Callely.

A spokesperson at the department said the internal workings of Mr Callely’s private office within Transport were a “private matter between the minister and his staff”.

In the past fortnight two staff have said they were transferring from the junior minister’s office to other areas of the department.

His private secretary, Una McDermott, a civil servant, resigned two weeks ago after Mr Callely asked her to attend a political function.

Civil servants above clerical officer grade are not allowed attend such functions.

And in the past few days, his constituency secretary, Niall Phelan, a Fianna Fáil political appointee, has also given notice of his resignation. Reportedly, a number of other staff in Mr Callely’s private office have also sought transfers.

Mr Callely, a TD in the Dublin North Central constituency, has a reputation as a driven and ambitious politician with a penchant for publicity.

Last month he drew political flak when his photograph was featured in newspaper advertisements for Operation Freeflow, the annual campaign to reduce traffic congestion in Dublin in the run-up to Christmas. The opposition claimed he was using State monies to further his personal profile.

Yesterday, Labour Senator Derek McDowell called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to rein in whom he described as “arrogant Ivor”.

Mr McDowell, a constituency rival of Mr Callely’s in Dublin North Central, claimed the junior minister’s tenure in Transport was “rapidly descending into farce”.

“Hardly a day goes by now without the internal workings of the Department of Transport, and Minister Callely’s office in particular, becoming an issue for the national papers. It is little wonder that the Government’s transport policy is a mess,” he said.

Mr McDowell said the Standards in Public Office Commission is investigating the inclusion of his photograph in adverts paid for by public funds.

“I am calling on the Taoiseach to rein in this arrogant junior minister,” he added.