Callely’s resignation causes Dáil chaos

THE Dáil yesterday descended into chaos and uproar for more than two hours as the opposition attempted unsuccessfully to raise the resignation of Junior Minister Ivor Callely.

In the angriest and most disorderly exchanges seen in the Dáil for recent years, a prolonged stand-off arose as the Government resisted opposition attempts to allow time for a debate or statements on the Junior Minister’s departure.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern read out a short statement when the Dáil resumed yesterday, stating that Minister Callely had tendered his resignation earlier in the morning. However, when the Taoiseach attempted to move on to the Order of Business and begin his own speech on the Budget, opposition objections quickly led to uproar.