Fianna Fáil said tonight it is to propose that the party whip be removed from Senator Ivor Callely at its next meeting
The announcement was made after a standards watchdog said today there was enough evidence to proceed with an investigation into expenses claims made by Mr Callely.
In a statement issued this afternoon, the Seanad Select Committee on Members’ Interests said it had taken the decision to instigate its investigation after receiving two complaints from members of the public.
The move comes a day after Mr Callely asked for an Oireachtas committee to investigate his controversial €81,000 expenses claims.
The claims were made despite Mr Callely, a former TD for Dublin North Central, stating on his website he maintains his Dublin home and constituency office in Clontarf. His home in Kilcrohane in Co Cork is 370km from Dublin.
Fianna Fáil said this evening that following the select committee's decision to commence an investigation the chief whip John Curran will propose a motion at the next meeting of the Parliamentary Party to remove the party whip from Senator Callely "without prejudice, and pending the completion of the work of the committee."
The select committee said it has received a detailed written statement from the senator, together with documents relating to his allowance arrangements.
It said that following preliminary consideration of all the documentation received, sufficient evidence exists to sustain a complaint under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. The committee said it hopes to conclude its investigation as early as possible.
The Fianna Fail senator told the Seanad yesterday he should be given the chance to properly explain why he claimed overnight and travel expenses from his west Cork property for two years.
Mr Callely said reports on his financial claims did not give the full picture and he looked forward to a speedy and satisfactory resolution of the controversy. He said he recognised the difficulties the matter had raised and he was prepared to co-operate to address them.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin increased the pressure on Mr Callely today by criticising her party colleague’s answers about his expenses.
Ms Hanafin said answers given by Mr Callely so far in the expenses row were “not very clear”. The public deserved to know the real answer about what was being done with public money, she said.
“I think Senator Callely has to explain the situation to the Senate Select Committee [on Members’ Interests]. There are serious questions being asked and I believe he should be absolutely upfront and clear about it.”
Earlier this week, Taoiseach Brian Cowen called on the senator to explain himself.
Fine Gael Seanad leader Senator Frances Fitzgerald said Mr Callely's statement yesterday was little more than "a threadbare defence of his claims". She repeated her call for him to make "a full and clear" statement on the matter.
Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the issue was further damaging the perception of politics in Ireland and called for any inquiry into Mr Callely’s expenses to be held in public.