I will make no payment. Forget it now and mind your own business.– Former TD Jackie Healy-Rae when asked about the €2,639 cost of phone calls from Leinster House to a premium rate telephone number in October 2007 when his son, Michael, now a TD for Kerry South, was taking part in the reality TV show Celebrities Go Wild.
The purpose of this letter is to make you aware of these circumstances and to invite your comments. – Letter from the secretary general of the Oireachtas Kieran Coughlan to Jackie Healy-Rea in 2009 seeking his reaction to the phone bill. He did not reply.
. . . an outrageous abuse of facilities. I am calling for this money to be repaid in full immediately. –Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett
I did not incur the cost. If other people made the calls, why should I have to pay for them? – Michael Healy-Rae (Tuesday)
By Jesus, [Jackie] was not behind it and if anyone is brave enough to make accusations, let them go ahead, but they have to be prepared to substantiate them. – Michael Healy-Rae (Tuesday)
I'm the only person in Ireland that's paying for other people's phone bills but I'll do it. – Michael Healy-Rae (Wednesday)