Minister of State Seán Haughey today became the latest Fianna Fáil politician to call on Senator Ivor Callely should to consider his position and resign from the Seanad.
The call by Mr Haughey, who is a Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, follows similar statements from two Government senators and a call by Taoiseach Brian Cowen on Mr Callely to consider his position earlier this month.
Mr Haughey said that while it was important for the Seanad Committee on Members’ Interests to continue its inquiry into complaints against Mr Callely, he should still consider his position as a member of the upper house.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Minister for the Environment John Gormley also called on the Senator to step down. “This is an episode that, again, reflects badly on politics,” the Green Party leader said.
However Fine Gael’s spokesman on Justice in the Seanad Eugene Regan said that lining Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators up to call for Senator Mr Callely’s resignation was a pointless exercise.
“Through his actions, Ivor Callely has made it patently clear that he intends to cling desperately to his seat for as long as possible. However, the crucial fact is that the only reason Senator Callely is in the Seanad is as a Taoiseach’s nominee,” said Mr Regan.
“Sending a host of Government TDs and Senators, including Mary O’Rourke, Senator Dan Boyle and, this afternoon, Deputy Sean Haughey onto the airwaves to call for Senator Callely to consider his position means nothing unless the Taoiseach acts. The only call that matters where Ivor Callely’s resignation is concerned is the call that must come from the Taoiseach.”
Mr Regan said the ball was now clearly in Mr Cowen’s court. “The Taoiseach has beaten around the bush on this matter for too long. He could, and should, send a powerful message to Senator Callely by calling on him to resign his Seanad seat.”
The Fine Gael Senator said that Mr Callely’s ongoing tenure in the Seanad was dragging politics into further disrepute with every passing day and Mr Cowen’s refusal to make an unambiguous request for his resignation was facilitating that process.
“Senator Callely’s resignation from the Fianna Fail party, which ruled out the possibility of his expulsion, sent a clear signal that he intends to hold steadfastly to his position. For the sake of political integrity, the Taoiseach must end this embarrassing charade and call for him to resign his seat, once and for all,” said Mr Regan.