Ivor Callely (take III)

gazzer wrote: »

How come the opposition parties are being so quiet on this one?

FG urge Garda inquiry into Callely

IRISH TIMES REPORTERS

Tue, Aug 03, 2010

The matter of Senator Ivor Callely’s expenses should be investigated by the Garda Commissioner, Fine Gael said today.

The party’s Seanad spokesman on Justice, Senator Eugene Regan, called on Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to ensure the issue was investigated.

He said reports today outlining measures to tackle social welfare fraud were “in stark contrast” to the Government’s inaction in bringing Mr Callely to account following accusations made against him.

“Reports in today’s media outlining legislative provisions that are being used by the Department of Social Protection to tackle fraudulent social welfare claims, only serve to illustrate that there is one set of rules to deal with fraud among the public and another for Government parties.”

The Irish Times today reports that the Department of Social Protection has targeted taxi drivers, security staff, fishermen and even greyhound owners in its efforts to clamp down on social welfare fraud.

“The damage Senator Callely has done to the public perception of politics and politicians is immense and he continues to bring politics into further disrepute by refusing to comment on the allegations against him,” Mr Regan said.

“No rational explanation has been provided by the Minister for Justice or the Garda Commissioner as to why a Garda investigation has not been carried out into Senator Callely’s €81,000 expenses claim or the latest revelations [about claims for mobile phones].”

Mr Regan said the suggestion that a formal complaint had to be made to An Garda Síochána before it could take action had “no basis in law”.

He said Mr Ahern had the capacity to direct a Garda investigation into claims of alleged fraudulent practices by Senator Callely and that if he was to fulfil his duty in upholding the law, he should do just that.

Earlier today, Green Party TD Paul Gogarty and Independent Senator David Norris joined calls for the resignation of Mr Callely following controversy about his expenses claims.

Mr Norris said it was not in his nature to “gloat” in relation to others’ misfortune or tragedy. But this was “a tragedy brought upon himself by Ivor Callely”.

“It is now at the point where I think a whole series of principles have been violated.

“If the newspaper reports are true, and one assumes they must be. Then we are involved in what looks certainly like matters that require the attention of the police.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland , he said if the reports about Mr Callely’s expenses were true and that he had used “bogus” documents to claim for mobile phones, it was “impossible” to see how he could continue.

On the same programme, Fianna Fáil mayor of Galway Michael Crowe said Senator Callely’s behaviour was “completely unacceptable” and that he should resign now.

He said this was the view of party councillors in Galway city and county, but that Taoiseach Brian Cowen would “have to speak for himself” in relation to the matter.

Separately, Green Party TD Paul Gogarty said he had written to the clerk of the Seanad to make a formal complaint about Mr Callely's conduct.

Speaking on RTÉ this afternoon, Mr Gogarty said Mr Callely should "take the honourable decision and step down" until any questions regarding his expenses were answered.

Mr Gogarty said other people in a similar position would have "stepped down straight away", citing former junior Green Party minister Trevor Sargent, and former minister for defence Willie O'Dea.

Speaking at the weekend, TD and former minister Mary O’Rourke said Mr Callely had brought “shame and disgrace” on Fianna Fáil and should be expelled from the party.

“I don’t know how you put a person out of the party, but all I know is he’s bringing shame on the party by his carry-on and the antics of him, and we don’t know what is next,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“He is bringing shame and disgrace on the party . . . he should be just expelled from the party.”

Green Party chairman Dan Boyle, who is deputy leader of the Seanad and a member of the committee that ruled against Mr Callely in a recent travel expenses investigation, said he could not be removed from office. Mr Boyle called on Mr Callely to consider his position at the weekend.

“He can’t be removed from office. It’s either a choice for him or action being taken elsewhere by other agencies,” he said yesterday.

Denis O’Donovan, from Bantry, Co Cork, said there was a “strong possibility” the Committee on Members Interests of Seanad Éireann could be reconvened to investigate the matter. “I’m conscious of the fact if we were asked to reconvene, any comment might prejudice my position.”

However, another committee member, speaking on the basis of anonymity, said on Sunday: “What is alleged . . . should be a matter for the gardaí”.

A Garda spokesman said: “We do not wish to make any comment on named individuals.”

Fianna Fáil has refused to comment on Mr Callely's situation.

Mr Callely, who resigned the Fianna Fáil whip in June, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Oireachtas documents show Mr Callely was paid €2,879.64 in November 2007 under a mobile phone reimbursement scheme and a “direct purchase scheme”, to purchase telephone hardware and insurance, for which invoices relating to three separate 18- month periods in 2002, 2003 and 2005 were submitted together.

The invoices, referring to the purchase of Nokia mobile phones, car-kit installation and other costs, were on headed notepaper of Business Communications Ltd.

The Companies Registration Office records show this company, with an address in Fairview, Dublin, filed its last annual return in 1993, had a liquidator appointed in 1994 and was later officially dissolved.

Mr Callely was appointed to the Seanad by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. He lost his Dáil seat in the 2007 general election, having resigned his minister of state position in 2005 over having had his house painted for free, in the 1990s, by a building company.

The Constitution states: “Every member of Seanad Éireann shall, unless he previously dies, resigns, or becomes disqualified, continue to hold office until the day before the polling day of the general election for Seanad Éireann next held after his election or nomination.”

© 2010 irishtimes.com

gazzer wrote: »

How come the opposition parties are being so quiet on this one?

goat2 wrote: »

was willie into forgery too

i had thought his problem was, he was shooting off his mouth

one is fraud
other is not

Liam Byrne wrote: »

Unusual phrasing. I'd have expected you to be straight and say that you were fuming that this con-man was a member.

ÓGRA Fianna Fáil will move a motion to expel Senator Ivor Callely from the Fianna Fáil party at the next meeting of the Árd Chomhairle.

The motion will ask members of Fianna Fáil’s Ard Comhairle to remove the Senator's party membership "for conduct unbecoming of a party member".

Ógra’s Leas Cathaoirleach Joe O’Neill said: “Ógra has already called for Senator Callely to resign following the findings of the Oireachtas Committee, yet he has failed to take notice of the will of the vast majority of Fianna Fáil members.

"Over the course of the last number of weeks Ógra have received no response to our call for Mr Callely to resign from the Seanad.

"Mr Callely has a responsibility to clear up a scandal which he alone created and one which has dragged down the reputation of politicians ever further,” said O’Neill.

"By claiming illegitimate travel expenses and being suspended from Seanad Éireann he has brought the party into disrepute.”

"Ógra is of the view that his position as a member of the Seanad is untenable.”

"Ógra have held this position since the Oireachtas Committee made its conclusions public and not merely since the more recent allegations at the weekend.

"Ógra can no longer support his continued membership of the Fianna Fáil organisation.”

"Ógra will now be campaigning for Mr.Callely’s expulsion from the Fianna Fáil party,” concluded O'Neill.