Sen. Mike Duffy refused to answer any questions Monday as he returned to Parliament Hill, including whether he will seek reimbursement for an estimated $250,000 of wages he missed during his two-and-a-half-year suspension.

Conservative Sen. Don Plett, who is his party’s whip, told CTV’s Power Play that he and Duffy spoke for about 10 minutes Monday.

“Mike made it very clear that he wanted to be a contributor again to the Senate and he wanted to be constructive there,” Plett said.

“However, he did say that his health had taken some hits in the last while and he may have to just take it a little easy for a bit,” Plett added.

Plett said Duffy has not asked the Senate to reimburse him for missed wages -- an estimated $250,000 -- since he was acquitted on 31 fraud and bribery charges last month.

However, Duffy’s lawyer, Donald Bayne, told CTV’s Question Period that Duffy ought to be reimbursed.

Plett told Power Play he believes it is important to keep in mind that Duffy was suspended by his colleagues before any criminal charges were brought.

“Had he been suspended because of criminal charges, certainly I think (reimbursement) would be more of a cut and dried case,” Plett said.

Sen. David Smith, a Liberal appointee who now sits as an independent, told Power Play he wants to be “totally open-minded” about whether Duffy should get back wages.

“There were 31 charges, and what the court decided was that none of these constituted a criminal offence of which he was guilty,” Smith said. “We’ve got to recognize that.”

Duffy has always maintained his innocence, and last month, after a 62-day trial, was found innocent of any criminal wrongdoing.

Sen. Leo Housakos, chair of the Senate Internal Economy committee, told CTV’s Question Period that there’s likely not “much of an appetite” among members of the upper chamber for the idea of reimbursing Duffy for the lost salary.

Conservative Sen. Linda Frum agreed, telling The Canadian Press Monday that Duffy’s suspension was “part of a sanctions process” and “that’s the end of that story.”

NDP MP Charlie Angus told reporters Monday that doesn't see any reason to give Duffy the money. "Now we're supposed to be all feeling bad for (the) senator … ?” he said.

CTV political analyst Scott Reid said Canadians shouldn’t expect to hear from Duffy anytime soon, because he likely understands that “gloating” about his court victory won’t go over well.

“Plus, he is at the mercy of his Senate colleagues and Senate officer when it comes to this claim for payback,” Reid said. “So if he’s serious about that, the last thing he’s going to do it thump his chest.”