GREEN PARTY leader John Gormley and his Fianna Fáil Cabinet colleague Mary Hanafin have disagreed over the course of action that should be followed by Senator Ivor Callely.
Mr Gormley yesterday called on Mr Callely to step down from the Seanad because of the complaints about his expenses.
Mr Gormley said it would be desirable for Mr Callely to vacate the Seanad. “This is an episode that, again, reflects badly on politics,” he added.
However, Ms Hanafin, the Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said that Mr Callely should be given the opportunity of presenting his case to the Seanad Committee on Members’ Interests. “I hope he will co-operate with the committee and give the answers he says he has. He should have an opportunity to give those answers,” Ms Hanafin said.
She added that the process would only take a matter of weeks and the Senator should be given the time to respond to the issues raised about his expenses.
Earlier, Fianna Fáil junior minister Seán Haughey said Mr Callely should consider his position but said it was important for the Seanad committee to continue its inquiry into complaints.
Fine Gael’s spokesman on justice in the Seanad, Eugene Regan, said that lining Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators up to call for Mr Callely’s resignation was pointless.
“Through his actions, Ivor Callely has made it patently clear that he intends to cling desperately to his seat for as long as possible,” said Mr Regan said. “However, the crucial fact is that the only reason Senator Callely is in the Seanad is as a Taoiseach’s nominee.
“Sending a host of Government TDs and Senators, including Mary O’Rourke TD, Senator Dan Boyle and, this afternoon, Deputy Seán Haughey, on to the airwaves to call for Senator Callely to consider his position means nothing unless the Taoiseach acts. The only call that matters where Ivor Callely’s resignation is concerned is the call that must come from the Taoiseach.”
Mr Regan said the ball was now clearly in Brian Cowen’s court.
“The Taoiseach has beaten around the bush on this matter for too long. He could, and should, send a powerful message to Senator Callely by calling on him to resign his Seanad seat.”
The Fine Gael Senator said Mr Callely’s ongoing tenure in the Seanad was dragging politics into further disrepute with every passing day and Mr Cowen’s refusal to make an unambiguous request for his resignation was facilitating that process.
“Senator Callely’s resignation from the Fianna Fáil party, which ruled out the possibility of his expulsion, sent a clear signal that he intends to hold steadfastly to his position. For the sake of political integrity, the Taoiseach must end this embarrassing charade and call for him to resign his seat, once and for all,” said Mr Regan.
In recent days, two Government Senators called on Senator Callely to resign because of the damage the continuing controversy over his expenses was doing to the Seanad’s reputation. Green Party chairman Senator Dan Boyle said the longer Mr Callely served in the Seanad, the more discredit he brought on it. Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa McDonald also urged Senator Callely to consider his position.
Last night the Minister for Defence also called for him to resign his seat. Mr Killeen made his remarks while speaking to Richard Crowley on RTÉ's Prime Time. "I think it would be very helpful if he did [resign]."
Asked if the Taoiseach should call on Mr Callely to resign, he said: “That’s a matter for the Taoiseach. I made it very clear from the beginning . . . the ultimate responsibility lies with the individual concerned.”
