SEANAD:THE SEANAD yesterday agreed to authorise the instructing of a legal team to defend an action being taken by former Fianna Fáil Senator Ivor Callely.

Mr Callely is taking a bid to challenge findings made against him over expenses claims resulting in a 20-day suspension from the service of the House.

Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan said he had informed Senators by letter that Mr Callely had initiated judicial proceedings in the High Court against the seven individual members of the Committee on Members’ Interests, the committee itself and the Seanad. “The House is required by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Acts to authorise a legal team to conduct a defence of the legal proceedings. Under Standing Orders, this function is assigned to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges . . . and the committee has already met on the matter.”

The leader of the Seanad had proposed the authorisation motion be taken without debate, added Mr Moylan. “The case is due to be heard in the High Court next week and I would ask each member to refrain from commenting on the case itself which . . . is before the courts.”

Members listed in the motion are Mr Moylan and Senators Dan Boyle, Frances Fitzgerald, Camillus Glynn, Denis O’Donovan, Joe O’Toole and Alex White.