Ivor Callely (take III)

the_dark_side · 09-08-2010 01:02PM

Essexboy wrote: »

Once again, Biffo shows he is not up to it, unable to criticise any wrongdoer. Molloy and Neary were pensioned off (at inflated rates) but he does not have that option for Callelly. All he can manage is the mealymouthed " raises more questions than answers".

I agree with you. Callelly has exposed the rotten expenses system, the unwillingness of all politicians to deal firmly with one their own and Biffo's spinelessness.

This may seem slightly off topic:

Brian Cowen is best friends with Fintan Drury.... Fintan Drury is best buddies with Seanie Fitz

It is because of similar such friendships, that politicos near the top are afraid to grasp the nettle and act on irregularities and wrongdoings by other party members and/or their associates

Laminations · 09-08-2010 01:08PM

the_dark_side wrote: »

It is because of similar such friendships, that politicos near the top are afraid to grasp the nettle and act on irregularities and wrongdoings by other party members and/or their associates

Or rather its because of such politicos near the top (especially in FF) that such relationships exist

http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/ryle-dwyer/given-ffs-record-we-should-not-be-surprised-about-callelys-actions-127199.html

recedite · 09-08-2010 02:25PM

Ivor's not so bad; look here he hasn't even submitted the highest expenses;
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/oct/25/seanad-members-claim-over-10m-in-expenses-for-last/
"Keaveney took home €80,393 in expenses while Cassidy claimed €81,543. Ivor Callely claimed €77,773 in expenses despite living in Dublin, including €8,353 in "committee travel" expenses."
OK maybe those guys do actually live in the arsehole of nowhere, but it has to be asked, how much does it really cost to drive to Dublin, and maybe rent a bed?

Yitzhak Rabin · 09-08-2010 02:58PM

recedite wrote: »

Ivor's not so bad; look here he hasn't even submitted the highest expenses;
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/oct/25/seanad-members-claim-over-10m-in-expenses-for-last/
"Keaveney took home €80,393 in expenses while Cassidy claimed €81,543. Ivor Callely claimed €77,773 in expenses despite living in Dublin, including €8,353 in "committee travel" expenses."
OK maybe those guys do actually live in the arsehole of nowhere, but it has to be asked, how much does it really cost to drive to Dublin, and maybe rent a bed?

Cassidy lives in Castlepollard. Just over an hour from his house to the Seanad. He is an absolute joke of a man. Another failed TD who got appointed by Bertie.

He got €70,134 salary, which he supplemented with €86,915 in 'expenses'. Thats a total of almost €160,000 a year so this d1ckhead can talk ****e in the Seanad. It makes me so fúcking angry to think of it. Thats not to mention his other interests as a hotelier and his property portfolio.

This quote from April 2008 sums this @rsehole up, and the other vested interest cronies who occupy the oireacthas.

‘Now is the right time to buy. We have a duty to tell first-time house buyers, young couples with no previous experience, that there is unbelievable value in the marketplace today. It will not last forever.

‘It is never the wrong time to do the right thing. I offer the House the benefit of my experience and my opinion which is all any Member can do.

‘I will remind the House, perhaps in 12 or 18 months, when prices have again increased by 25% or 30%, that they were told this by the Leader of the House on this historic day, the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.’

Davidth88 · 09-08-2010 03:01PM

recedite wrote: »

Ivor's not so bad; look here he hasn't even submitted the highest expenses;
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/oct/25/seanad-members-claim-over-10m-in-expenses-for-last/
"Keaveney took home €80,393 in expenses while Cassidy claimed €81,543. Ivor Callely claimed €77,773 in expenses despite living in Dublin, including €8,353 in "committee travel" expenses."
OK maybe those guys do actually live in the arsehole of nowhere, but it has to be asked, how much does it really cost to drive to Dublin, and maybe rent a bed?

You know , I don't actually care abut people claiming expences , as long as they are just that EXPENCES , ie something you have fronted the company( or country ) with .

There should be rules as to what is acceptable ( ie max price for a hotel stuff like that ) , then you submit your receipts and off you go ......

What I hate is the fact that half these so call expences are not that at all , but allowances , they are called expences I suspect to avoid tax ( I am open to correction )

Just because a person is the highest claimer , does not mean they are milking the system , it could well be they do the most travelling or something.

Tordelback · 09-08-2010 03:10PM

I know I'm flogging a dead horse here, but I have to ask again:

Who the hell passed these expenses? In my (very small) company all expenses claims are checked by the accounts person, and anything substantial or unusual is flagged for management approval before paying. I can't believe that a claim for (for example) mobile phones with Punt values on them wouldn't have been flagged in my office, never mind astronomical expenses from someone living a few miles down the M4 (assuming it was even legal for my staff to claim tax-free expenses for their journey to their usual workplace, which it isn't).

Why are public sector finances apparently never subject to the same level of scrutiny that even the smallest of businesses would implement?

the_dark_side · 09-08-2010 03:37PM

‘Now is the right time to buy. We have a duty to tell first-time house buyers, young couples with no previous experience, that there is unbelievable value in the marketplace today. It will not last forever.

‘It is never the wrong time to do the right thing. I offer the House the benefit of my experience and my opinion which is all any Member can do.

‘I will remind the House, perhaps in 12 or 18 months, when prices have again increased by 25% or 30%, that they were told this by the Leader of the House on this historic day, the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.’

Frank Fahey was offering the same misleading advice in 2009 in Galway one evening... I sincerely hope that no one acted on these horribly misguiding words.
To think of who's lives they would ruin by encouraging people to buy into a market that they had to have known was screwed in 2008, in order to protect their own self interests and the interests of their developer cronies.
As regards expenses.... If they want their expenses money so fking badly, then we should bury it with them!

Jaysoose · 09-08-2010 03:43PM

Tordelback wrote: »

I know I'm flogging a dead horse here, but I have to ask again:

Who the hell passed these expenses? In my (very small) company all expenses claims are checked by the accounts person, and anything substantial or unusual is flagged for management approval before paying. I can't believe that a claim for (for example) mobile phones with Punt values on them wouldn't have been flagged in my office, never mind astronomical expenses from someone living a few miles down the M4 (assuming it was even legal for my staff to claim tax-free expenses for their journey to their usual workplace, which it isn't).

Why are public sector finances apparently never subject to the same level of scrutiny that even the smallest of businesses would implement?

If you were a civil servant would you raise any issues about your superiors expenses?

They hide behind the rules of the expenses system....and they also set the rules of the expenses system...its a joke but it isnt going to change any time soon. They all know that the amounts being claimed are a disgrace but they say nothing, this country has gone to dogs and the politicians are determined to destroy it completely.

Not one of them is worth the steam of the taxpayers piss yet they continue to swan around as if they are some sort of superior beings.

bmaxi · 09-08-2010 03:51PM

Tordelback wrote: »

I know I'm flogging a dead horse here, but I have to ask again:

Who the hell passed these expenses? In my (very small) company all expenses claims are checked by the accounts person, and anything substantial or unusual is flagged for management approval before paying. I can't believe that a claim for (for example) mobile phones with Punt values on them wouldn't have been flagged in my office, never mind astronomical expenses from someone living a few miles down the M4 (assuming it was even legal for my staff to claim tax-free expenses for their journey to their usual workplace, which it isn't).

Why are public sector finances apparently never subject to the same level of scrutiny that even the smallest of businesses would implement?

The fact that half of the members of the Dáil and more than half of the Senate opted for €15000 in unvouched expenses rather than €25000 in vouched expenses should give a clue. Of course maybe those opting for vouched expenses shop in the same places as Callelly and can pull receipts out of the air. The whole thing stinks.
The list of those TDs claiming unvouched expenses will be published on a monthly basis and really, nobody on it should be returned to the Dáil. That'll do for a start, then hopefully we can make a start on weeding out the rest of the crooks.

dan_d · 09-08-2010 05:02PM

I also asked that question, a good few posts ago!! Ivor Calelly is so at fault it's ridiculous......but between him handing in a piece of paper, and money landing in his account, there were/are at least one other person....probably 2 or 3...who saw those receipts, and approved the money.

Where are they right now, and why aren't we hearing more about how ALL these expense claims are processed??

P. Breathnach · 09-08-2010 09:58PM

Tordelback wrote: »

... Why are public sector finances apparently never subject to the same level of scrutiny that even the smallest of businesses would implement?

In most areas of the public service, expenses are scrutinised very rigorously indeed. For example, I was restricted to busfares when I was working away from my base for an extended period -- even though there was no bus service at suitable hours. There were circumstances in I didn't bother to claim legitimate expenses because the hassle factor was too great.

Things are a bit different at the political level. Our elected representatives need less scrutiny because ... well, because.

recedite · 09-08-2010 10:33PM

P. Breathnach wrote: »

Our elected representatives need less scrutiny because ... well, because.

For "Reasons of State" ?

defined here;
http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-definition/reasons%20of%20State#ctl00_cC_translate_box

Wide Road · 09-08-2010 11:38PM

the_dark_side wrote: »

This may seem slightly off topic:

Brian Cowen is best friends with Fintan Drury.... Fintan Drury is best buddies with Seanie Fitz

It is because of similar such friendships, that politicos near the top are afraid to grasp the nettle and act on irregularities and wrongdoings by other party members and/or their associates

Also off topic. Ml. Lowry best friend is John Bruton, John is Richards brother. Richard wanted to oust Enda and take over as leader of FG. John Bruton wants to be the next President of Ireland. How would such friendships affect decision making I wonder.

thebman · 10-08-2010 12:27AM

P. Breathnach wrote: »

In most areas of the public service, expenses are scrutinised very rigorously indeed. For example, I was restricted to busfares when I was working away from my base for an extended period -- even though there was no bus service at suitable hours. There were circumstances in I didn't bother to claim legitimate expenses because the hassle factor was too great.

Things are a bit different at the political level. Our elected representatives need less scrutiny because ... well, because.

I don't think they are. maybe in some areas over others but both my parents worked in the public sector and both have many stories about ridiculous expense claims from within the state companies/services they worked for.

I also work with someone who used to work for the public sector and he was talking about how rigid things were today when I brought this topic up however all he convinced me of was that it was lax in the area he was working in too as what he was talking about claiming for, you would have no chance in hell of claiming for if you worked for a private sector company.

the_dark_side · 10-08-2010 12:39AM

Wide Road wrote: »

Also off topic. Ml. Lowry best friend is John Bruton, John is Richards brother. Richard wanted to oust Enda and take over as leader of FG. John Bruton wants to be the next President of Ireland. How would such friendships affect decision making I wonder.

In terms of decision making, the Brutons involvement with the Trilateral Commission would mean further lack of transparency for this country... Fine Gael are no solution to our debacle..

filthymcnasty · 10-08-2010 07:12AM

slightly off topic:
Just received expenses back from some work travel, approx 130 euro for night in hotel plus food mileage etc. strict guidelines in place for how much can be spent etc etc
had to:
1)Submit expenses thru work expenses database thingy. Get this approved by my manager. After approved only then goes to accounts dept
2)Get all receipts and bring with signed form by manager to accounts.
claim held back for all as was missing one receipt, after got hold of this then got the dosh.
Not whinging as this or similar is the procedure for most- except these pr1cks- who signs off their expenses and who do they justify them to,no -one it seems.

yoshytoshy · 10-08-2010 07:57AM

The seanad is like a golf club ,they can do what they like. We pay the membership fees though ,along with the "expenses".

Robbing people is par for the course.

Colm R · 10-08-2010 08:36AM

filthymcnasty wrote: »

slightly off topic:
Just received expenses back from some work travel, approx 130 euro for night in hotel plus food mileage etc. strict guidelines in place for how much can be spent etc etc
had to:
1)Submit expenses thru work expenses database thingy. Get this approved by my manager. After approved only then goes to accounts dept
2)Get all receipts and bring with signed form by manager to accounts.
claim held back for all as was missing one receipt, after got hold of this then got the dosh.
Not whinging as this or similar is the procedure for most- except these pr1cks- who signs off their expenses and who do they justify them to,no -one it seems.

Its well known that expenses in most companies is a tight ship. I have to travel maybe 2 or 3 a times a year. I pay for everything myself up front, including flights, hotels etc.

On return, I submit all original receipts for travel and hotel.

For food I get a per dieum allowance every day. The thing about this, is its calcualted how much it should cost to buy 2 small meals and one large meal in the country I am in, so its much less in countries like Greece than it is in Germany. I like this because if I want to spend more on a nice restaurant, thats my decision.

I do make a small bit of money travelling as I'm not buying food back home. Actually the correct way to say this is I save money as I am not spending it back home.

I was talking to a guy in accounts about it, and he said the main thing to watch is that you do not make money. Because expenses are tax free because I have spent money I have already paid income tax on.

So the question I have for Callely and all Public Representatives is, if they pocket expenses that they never actually spent, are they liable for PAYE?

Head The Wall · 10-08-2010 09:30AM

You are paying rent/mortgage, sky, motor tax and insurance etc even though you are not using them so it does level out though.

I fully agree with you though, this crap of getting expenses to go to work when you live within 15 miles is a joke.

Nijmegen · 10-08-2010 09:36AM

Simple answer Colm R, "If it were you or me... yes."

Politicians should be watched over by an elected "sheriff" who sets wages, oversees expenses and all other pay and conditions.

JonathanAnon · 10-08-2010 09:42AM

I think when you effectively begin paying Senators for days spent investigating their own expenses, it's time to shut the thing down..

Mr E · 10-08-2010 09:43AM

yoshytoshy wrote: »

The seanad is like a golf club [..] Robbing people is par for the course.

Ah I see what you did there.

The whole situation is a disgrace. I hope he gets criminal charges over this.

bernardo mac · 10-08-2010 10:41AM

Expenses are only the Tip of an Invisible Iceberg of earnings when operating from a position of political/business privilege.And that's for real !

Floppybits · 10-08-2010 11:04AM

What is needed here now is a root and branch audit of all expenses claimed by all TD's in all parties over say that last 3 - 4 years. The audit should be carried out by a reputable 3rd party and any TD found to be submitting dodgey claims then they have to resign.

Also a new system for claiming expenses should be introduced similar to those that most of us are subjected too in the private sector. None of this unvouched expenses, you want to claim you have a receipt simple as that.

Like one of the posters above said when I travel with work I have to pay for everything myself, this includes flights and hotel and when I get back I cant just send in a receipt for the flights, I also have to submit the boarding pass stub to show that I did actually take the flight.

A couple of things this Audit would achieve is that we would get rid of most of the politicians especially those that have been there for a while and secondly younger better politicians would take there place and give us a real choice in the elections.

raymon · 10-08-2010 11:18AM

The reason why the parasitic (alleged) forger Ivor Callely will not resign is clear - he wants take a few others with him .

It is clear that the system has been raped over the years and that there are other culprits .

However it is unlikely that any was as stupid as Ivor - by all accounts he is neither intelligent nor likeable.

I say clear the seanad of this rotten crowd of (alleged) forgers and (alleged) thieves .

Send them all to the joy as soon as they are uncovered.

ciagr297 · 10-08-2010 11:42AM

raymon wrote: »

Send them all to the joy as soon as they are uncovered.

i'd send them down the dole queue

see if they can live on 196 euro a week and see the other side of government

Liam Byrne · 10-08-2010 11:44AM

raymon wrote: »

The reason why the parasitic (alleged) forger Ivor Callely will not resign is clear - he wants take a few others with him .

Careful! Talk like that might even make us glad that Callely exists!!!!

paddyland · 10-08-2010 12:08PM

The last FFer to threaten to go down taking others with him, 'mysteriously' died in a car crash in Russia.

Do FF have God on their side too, and should Callely bear that in mind?

Wide Road · 10-08-2010 12:12PM

paddyland wrote: »

The last FFer to threaten to go down taking others with him, 'mysteriously' died in a car crash in Russia.

Do FF have God on their side too, and should Callely bear that in mind?

This is a shocking and disgusting post. I hope your view (as low as it is) isn't shared by other posters on this site.

paddyland · 10-08-2010 12:20PM

It's only an observation. I know no more about it than you or anyone else. It does seem strange though.

Ivor Callely (take III)

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