Callely quotes Bible in his swan song
“The truth will set you free,” Mr Callely proclaimed in what he said was his last-ever speech in the Upper House.
He was speaking as the Seanad agreed to appeal a High Court ruling which overturned a decision to suspend him from the House last July.
The Seanad Committee on Members Interests had found Mr Callely had wrongly used the address of a holiday home in Cork to claim expenses.
But two weeks ago, the High Court found the committee had acted beyond its powers by making a political judgment after the investigation.
Mr Callely said he wished to abstain from yesterday’s decision to appeal the case, but was told by the Seanad Cathaoirleach that he would, instead, be recorded as dissenting.
“I take the opportunity to state I am particularly pleased and delighted with Mr Justice O’Neill’s determination,” he said before being told he could not read a court ruling into the record of the House. He then congratulated the organisers of a forthcoming conference on the human rights of Irish citizens.
Then Mr Callely — who is trying to sell the holiday home at the centre of the controversy — proceeded to comment on the state of the property market.
“I have also received a circular from an Irish property company which describes 2010 as an extremely difficult year but believes that, while 2011 will be challenging, there are signs of improvement in some areas. These are welcome signs,” he said.
He said a quote from the Bible was a “very relevant at this time”.
He said: “I’m going to conclude with a passage that is very merited at this moment, a passage from the Bible, which mark my last words in the Seanad.
As the Cathaoirleach tried to silence him because his time had run out, Senator Callely quoted John 8:23: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”
