VERY SERIOUS allegations have been published regarding the mobile phone expenses of Senator Ivor Callely, causing his family and Senator Callely personally considerable distress.

He is also aware of the impact and concern of the general public and his colleagues in Leinster House.

Ivor Callely today stated that he submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas in November 2007 the four receipts to cover the period of January 2002 to July 2006, totalling €1,907.64.

He received these receipts in good faith and submitted these receipts in good faith for vouching purposes in the belief that they were correct.

He had no reason to believe that the said receipts were not in order.

The circumstances under which receipts were issued are being investigated.

He does not know how these receipts were issued by a company that had ceased trading.

It is now clear that these claims should not have been made.

He regrets the difficulties that this has created, all of which will be fully dealt with in the course of the investigation, and he will be assisting with any enquiry concerning same.

He therefore withdraws these claims and refunded all monies to the Leinster House authorities in respect of the said invoices concerning the amount paid on mobile phone expenses (total €2,879.45).

Ivor Callely has also contacted his legal advisers today for the purpose of assisting the investigation and vindicating his position.

He has been advised not to make further comment pending the investigation.