Expenses Senators

Statement by Select Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad Eireann

3rd June 2010

Following a meeting today of the Select Committee on Members’ Interests of Seanad ireann, the Committee has decided to immediately commence an investigation into the expense and allowance claims made by Senator Ivor Callely for the period from August 2007.

The Committee took the decision to meet in order to consider this matter and to examine two complaints received from members of the public.

Today, the Committee received a detailed written statement from Senator Callely, together with documents relating to the Senator’s allowance arrangements. Following preliminary consideration of all the relevant documentation, the Committee has deemed that sufficient evidence exists to sustain a complaint under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001.

The Committee shall proceed with this investigation in a careful and prudent manner; giving due regard to the mandatory procedures as set out in legislation. Nevertheless, the Committee is resolved to completing this process in as timely a fashion as possible.

The Committee has agreed to meet early in the week beginning the 14th June to continue the investigation process. In the meantime, in order to facilitate a speedy investigation, it has requested the Houses of the Oireachtas to supply the Committee with all necessary and relevant information regarding the parliamentary allowance system which is provided to all Seanad members.

The Committee has also engaged the Oireachtas legal advisors to assist the Committee to draw up appropriate rules and procedures for the investigation.

In order to ensure the investigation is not compromised and is conducted in an impartial manner, the Committee is prohibited from making any further comment on this matter at this time.