€60,000 to defend Callely action

THE OIREACHTAS has allocated almost €60,000 towards legal services to defend the committee that investigated Senator Ivor Callely’s expenses.

The Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Éireann produced a report in July that said Mr Callely had intentionally misrepresented his normal place of residence for the purposes of claiming expenses.

Mr Callely undertook a High Court bid to quash the finding and challenge his 20-day suspension from the Upper House. He also sought damages for loss of earnings during his suspension.

The Senator, who is entitled to resume attending the Seanad on Thursday next, was in Leinster House yesterday and attended the opening session of a committee.

Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan (FF) sought sanction from the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission for legal fees, according to the minutes of the latest Houses of the Oireachtas Commission meeting. The fees were to engage counsel in the defence of the proceedings on behalf of the Seanad, named members and the committee.

The minutes reveal that the commission “sanctioned €59,290 (inclusive of VAT) to cover the continuation of the legal advice services required to defend these proceedings on behalf of the members of the committee, the committee and the Seanad; and for ancillary legal advice services”.

The High Court reserved judgment on Mr Callely’s action last month. Mr Justice Iarfhlaith Ó Neill remarked the proceedings raised issues that involved “new territory” for the courts.

The committee was chaired by Mr Moylan. The other members were Senators Camillus Glynn (FF), Denis O’Donovan (FF), Joe O’Toole (Independent), Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael), Alex White (Labour) and Dan Boyle (Green Party). Mr Boyle removed himself from the committee because he had made public comments about Mr Callely; Green Party Senator Mark Deary was his replacement.