Callely 'brushed off offers to sort out expenses'

Senator Ivor Callely brushed off two offers from Oireachtas officials to contact the Finance Minister on his behalf in a bid to sort out controversial expenses claims, it emerged today.

A Seanad committee heard Mr Callely struggled with red tape when trying to have his living arrangements – which alternated between Dublin and his Co Cork holiday home – reflected in his invoices to the taxpayer.

But a senior Oireachtas worker revealed that when members’ services offered to seek help from Brian Lenihan, the ex-Dublin North Central TD claimed he had gone to the minister himself.

Senator Callely has faced stinging criticism over the lavish €81,000 travel and overnight claims racked up from his west Cork residence – despite his website stating he lived in Clontarf.

The Fianna Fáil Senator, who is still registered to vote in the capital, previously told the committee on members’ interests the shock of losing his Dáil seat in 2007 prompted him to move to the holiday home in idyllic Kilcrohane.

Senator Callely said after a change in personal circumstances he tried to have his expenses reflect the fact that he was spending more time in Dublin again. He told the meeting anomalies in the old claims regime meant he was unable to do so.

Derek Dignam, principal officer of Oireachtas members services, told the Seanad committee that representatives nominated their place of residence at the start of every year and could not change the address within that year.

He said Mr Callely had attempted to reflect his new living arrangements by changing his claims option from the €130 euro daily allowance for travel and overnight claims to the €61.53 daily Dublin rate.

“While we didn’t have the discretion we were prepared to make a case to the Minister for Finance,” he added.

“We did offer twice to put a special case to the Minister for Finance for him.”

Mr Dignam said the Senator did not take up the suggestion.

“When he wrote back he refers to himself having spoken to the Minister for Finance but not to our offer so I don’t know if he fully reflected on it or not,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Finance said there was no record of a discussion between Mr Lenihan and the Senator.

“But that’s not to say that he didn’t speak to the minister,” she said.

“Even if he had, the issue is he still had to deal with the Houses of the Oireachtas to deal with his expenses.”

Mr Callely, who was not present for the meeting, previously told the committee he didn’t make public how long he was spending at the west Cork house because he wanted to protect his family.

The Senator, who resigned the Fianna Fáil party whip earlier this month, could face a month’s suspension from the Seanad if he is found in breach of regulations.