Healy-Rae telephone controversy rumbles on

Kerry South TD Michael Healy Rae is facing continuing pressure to repay the cost to the taxpayer of premium rate phone calls.

Last night Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett called for the money - around €2,500 - to be repaid, saying the use of a Leinster House phone in 2007 to vote for Deputy Healy Rae on a reality TV show was an outrageous abuse of facilities.