ANY ATTEMPT by Ivor Callely to take his seat when the Seanad resumes today should not be tolerated, according to Fine Gael Senator, Eugene Regan.
“Any notion Ivor Callely has of taking his Seanad seat, thus violating his 20-day suspension, should be forgotten completely,” Mr Regan said last night.
He said there was speculation Mr Callely would appear in the Seanad today on the basis of his High Court action against the Committee on Members’ Interests.
“If he attempts to take his seat the Cathaoirleach, Pat Moylan, will have to call upon the captain of the guard in the House and have him ejected from the chamber. He is not entitled to take his seat and if he attempts to do so I will personally seek to have him removed,” said Mr Regan.
He added that he had written to Mr Moylan asking him to ensure that the committee addressed the issue and determined under what circumstances, if any, Mr Callely could resume his seat after the 20-day suspension period.
“Under existing legislation, Senator Callely has been suspended from the Upper House until he regularises and makes good his allowance affairs and ceases misrepresenting his normal place of residence, which he, so far, has not done. As a matter of law Senator Callely has been indefinitely suspended until he complies with the committee’s directions,” said Mr Regan.
Mr Callely’s position was considered yesterday by the committee. The meeting was adjourned until this afternoon.
