THE POLITICAL future of Senator Ivor Callely was a matter for himself, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said yesterday, because there was no provision whereby his nomination by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern could be withdrawn.
But Mr Cowen noted that Mr Callely had given a commitment to repay any expenses deemed inappropriate, and he pointed out that the Senator was no longer a member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.
“I know that while I was away in the United States that the committee that was set up to look into this have come forward with their recommendations, and obviously that has to be complied with,” Mr Cowen said yesterday in Dublin.
“Mr Callely, I understand, is also on record as saying that if there were payments that were inappropriate, he would reimburse them, he’s on record as stating that,” Mr Cowen said.
Asked whether he regarded Mr Callely as a fit person to be a member of Seanad Éireann, in light of the committee’s findings, Mr Cowen said: “He has been subjected to the recommendation of the committee, based on the discussions he has had with them and the investigation that they have completed.
“These are matters, at the end of the day, for the Senator himself, but, from my point of view, I’m not in a position to impose a sanction that would mean his non-membership of the Senate.”
Mr Callely resigned the Fianna Fáil whip on June 5th. Mr Cowen said: “My opinion has been taken in relation to the decisions we took related to his parliamentary party membership.”
Mr Cowen added: “I understand he is on record as saying that he would reimburse in respect of any aspect of payments that were deemed inappropriate and, secondly, there is no sanction available to the Taoiseach of the day that would involve my dismissing him as a Senator, that’s not possible for me to do.
“The question of his continued membership of the Senate is a matter for Mr Callely himself to consider at this point,” he added.
Questioned about whether Mr Callely could rejoin the parliamentary party, Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin said yesterday: “Obviously circumstances change for different people but it certainly won’t be happening immediately.”