Callely 'playing for time', say Opposition

Opposition parties are accusing Senator Ivor Callely of 'playing for time' following his statement on the controversy surrounding his mobile phone expenses.

Last night, Senator Callely claimed he did not know how mobile phone receipts he had submitted to the Houses of Oireachtas were issued by a company that had ceased trading.

He added that he had no reason to believe that the receipts were not in order, and that he has since refunded the money, totalling almost €3,000, to Leinster House.

The affair is to be examined tomorrow by the Oireachtas Members' Interests Committee.