DUBLIN-BASED Senator Ann Ormonde did not misrepresent her normal place of residence for the purpose of making claims for travel allowances, the Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann has found.
The committee found that two Senators against whom complaints were made by members of the public – Senator Ormonde of Fianna Fáil and the Independent university Senator Rónán Mullen – had not contravened the Ethics in Public Office Act or the Standards in Public Office Act.
Ms Ormonde had claimed travelling expenses and allowances from her Co Waterford holiday home for a period while her home in Dublin was being renovated.
In its findings, published last night, the committee had determined there were reasonable grounds for the complaint and it was not frivolous or vexatious.
In a statement, the committee said Ms Ormonde had responded in writing to it by yesterday.
“Having considered all the evidence before it, the Senator did not misrepresent her normal place of residence for the purpose of making claims for allowance,” it found.
In relation to Mr Mullen, the committee’s finding indicates that it considers the complaint may have been frivolous.
“Having duly considered the complaint and the response received from Senator Mullen, the committee determined that the Senator has not done a specified act within the meaning of the Acts, that there were no reasonable grounds for the complaint in the manner contemplated in the Acts and consequently that no action will be taken against the Senator.”
Mr Mullen responded last night by saying the committee had “bungled” the case against him, because the complaint was clearly vexatious and should never have been considered along with the other complaints.
“By its failure to acknowledge its mishandling of this case, the committee has set a bad precedent,” he said.
Committee members have pointed out that once a complaint is received and passed on by the Clerk of the Seanad, there is an obligation on it to investigate each complaint.
The committee, however, is proceeding with investigations into complaints against Senators Larry Butler and Ivor Callely.
Mr Butler, who has an address in Foxrock, Dublin, has claimed travel and overnight expenses from Graiguenamanagh in Co Kilkenny, since his election to the Seanad in 2007. He says Graiguenamanagh is where his home is.
In a statement last night, the committee said it had received a written response from Mr Butler and had decided to invite him to attend a public hearing on Tuesday, September 21st, to deal with questions from the members of the committee.
“With regard to Senator Ivor Callely and the mobile phone expenses, Senator Callely sought a further two weeks to provide the committee with a written response and the committee has agreed to this request.
“A further complaint has been received by the committee with regard to the Declaration of Members’ Interests completed by Senator Callely.
“The committee has determined to seek a detailed statement with regard to the complaint made from Senator Callely. The deadline for receipt of this statement is Tuesday, 21 September, 2010.”
The committee is chaired by Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan.
Other members are Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael); Alex White (Labour); Joe O’Toole (Independent); Denis O’Donovan (Fianna Fáil); Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fáil) and Mark Dearey (Green Party).
