Callely ordered to account for expenses claim

CONTROVERSIAL senator Ivor Callely has been ordered by Taoiseach Brian Cowen to provide a full account of his expenses after it was revealed the Dubliner was claiming mileage allowances from his holiday home in west Cork.

A statement from Mr Cowen said he was concerned that all deputies and senators should comply with the rules in relation to their expenses entitlements.

And he did not afford the senator any opportunity to lie low and let the latest controversy blow over.

Mr Cowen wrote to general secretary of Fianna Fáil Sean Dorgan and asked for a message to be conveyed to Mr Callely that an official statement was required.

“Following the publication of information at the weekend of information on Senator Ivor Callely’s travel expenses, the Taoiseach asked that Senator Callely furnish an explanation in writing to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad [Pat Moylan] that will clarify the position in relation to the issues raised,” his statement said.

Fianna Fáil said the message had been relayed to Mr Callely by Mr Dorgan.

Mr Callely could not be contacted for a public comment.

It had been revealed Mr Callely registered his holiday home in Kilcrohane, Bantry, as his primary residence when he was appointed to the Seanad in 2007.

This entitled him to €3,987-a-month in travel expenses, compared to €1,354 claimed by the majority of Dublin senators.

This year, Mr Callely told the Oireachtas he wished to return the expenses and clarify the position in relation to his second home. He sent back his expenses for March and did not receive his entitlement in April. He did not attend the Seanad yesterday.

However, his colleagues, whose expenses were published on the internet yesterday, called on him to explain his situation to them.

Fine Gael’s Seanad leader, Frances Fitzgerald, said it was a matter of serious concern and must be addressed.

Mr Callely has continued to represent Dublin north from his constituency office in Killester since he received the Seanad nomination.

He claimed €81,000 in travel and mileage costs throughout 2007 and 2008. However, this was reduced last October when the Oireachtas asked him which address he was living at.