THE SEANAD committee which sanctioned Senator Ivor Callely over his expenses is to appeal a High Court judgment overturning its decision.
Lawyers for the Select Committee on Members’ Interests will tell the High Court on Monday the group intends to appeal the court’s decision to the Supreme Court.
The Seanad yesterday agreed without a vote a motion facilitating the Supreme Court appeal to the decision overturning the committee’s decision. The motion also facilitates the appeal of any “consequential order” the High Court might make next week.
Such an order could take the form of compensation for Mr Callely, who was suspended from the Seanad for 20 days and had his expenses suspended. Mr Callely told the House he wished to be recorded as abstaining, as it might be deemed that he had supported the proposal, which involved him.
He was told by the chair his speaking time had expired when he added that he was pleased with the determination of Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill in the case. He said he thought it appropriate to quote the biblical phrase “you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”.
Mr Callely is estimated to have lost about €10,000 in expenses due to the committee’s decision and may sue his colleagues on the committee for loss of reputation.
Independent Senator Joe O’Toole resigned from the group last week, saying he was disappointed by the case’s outcome. Mr O’Toole said the group’s methodology was not in line with statutory requirements, but he believed Mr Callely was wrong in what he did.
The committee claimed Mr Callely, whose political base is in Dublin, had misrepresented his “normal place of residence” in claiming his expenses after it emerged he had claimed €80,000 for travel from his holiday home in Kilcrohane, Bantry, Co Cork.
