TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has reiterated his call on Senator Ivor Callely to issue a detailed statement to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad on his travel expenses.
Mr Callely, the former TD for Dublin North Central, made a short personal statement to the Seanad yesterday afternoon where he claimed that issues surrounding his expenses were complex. He also said he was willing for the Seanad’s Committee on Members’ Interests to examine the matter.
But in a statement issued through Fianna Fáil last night, the Taoiseach made it clear he was not satisfied with the Callely statement. While saying that Mr Cowen was happy for the committee to examine the documentation, the statement reiterated the Taoiseach’s demand from Tuesday that Mr Callely furnish a detailed statement to the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan as soon as possible.
“Fianna Fáil takes this issue very seriously and believes that it must be addressed comprehensively and transparently,” said the statement.
It also said that the Taoiseach was anxious that the committee would be in a position to deal with this matter without delay.
The strong tone of the statement reflected the gravity and seriousness with which the Taoiseach was taking this issue, said a source.
The Committee on Members’ Interests will convene today to consider how to proceed with the case, and to explore what precedent, if any, can be followed. There is uncertainty over the scope and powers of the committee in matters like these under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
However, two separate sources confirmed last night that a complaint had been received about Mr Callely from a member of the public, a development that can trigger an examination of this kind. Independent Senator Joe O’Toole had already said he would be willing to make a complaint if necessary.
Mr O’Toole was one of several Opposition Senators who were highly critical of Mr Callely’s personal statement to the Seanad yesterday. Mr O’Toole described it as deeply unsatisfactory.
He said Mr Callely had supplied no detail about the expenses, nor had he explained the anomalies nor the complexities about which he complained. He said all Mr Callely had done was to try to kick the issue to touch.
“He has effectively thumbed his nose at the Taoiseach by rejecting Mr Cowen’s request to furnish a detailed and public statement.”
Fine Gael Seanad leader Frances Fitzgerald also berated Mr Callely for failing to give a full account to the Seanad. She said that no new information had emerged from the statement.
Green Party Senator Dan Boyle posted on his Twitter site: “Am far from satisfied with Ivor Calley’s statement today. More information should have been put into the public. Disquiet will not be eased.” Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan said any inquiry into Senator Callely’s expenses must be held in public.
Under the Ethics in Public Office Act, the committee can issue a report on its findings. It is understood that it has also powers to refer the matter to the Standards in Public Office Commission.