Should people with criminal records be allowed to run for Dáil/Seanad/Arás?

[redneck]

Given the recent furore over the Presidential election and Martin McGuiness in particular. I would like to ask should anyone who has been convicted in a Court be debarred from running for elected office. I think so, reason being that being involved in "breaking the law" should disqualify you from making or passing the law.
This could be even outside our juristriction in the case of Euro elections- as it could embarass the state. Imagine the situation if for example an MEP was convicted of a crime in eg Germany, yet had to travel there for a summit or meeting!
Hopefully the law will be tightened up here and we will all be spared the mudslinging and abuse we have heard over the last 2 months. And this could also help victims rights.

[Tweek]

Nick Clegg was convicted of a crime in Germany and is let in due to his position...

[tigerben]

Well it's the oppisted , the criminal records , usually stem from their time in the Dail!

[BlackLion]

no is the answer, but few politicians have been arrested so there will be candidates contesting elections that haven't been caught.

[johnny365]

I think nobody with a criminal record should be allowed run for office.

[Plebian]

Yes they should. When you start barring people from being Democraticaly elected, you are refusing to accept the right of the electorate to make their own choices.

[Grey Area]

Yes is the simple answer. Everyone is redeemable.

[rockofcashel]

Given the recent furore over the Presidential election and Martin McGuiness in particular. I would like to ask should anyone who has been convicted in a Court be debarred from running for elected office. I think so, reason being that being involved in "breaking the law" should disqualify you from making or passing the law.
This could be even outside our juristriction in the case of Euro elections- as it could embarass the state. Imagine the situation if for example an MEP was convicted of a crime in eg Germany, yet had to travel there for a summit or meeting!
Hopefully the law will be tightened up here and we will all be spared the mudslinging and abuse we have heard over the last 2 months. And this could also help victims rights.

No. Had this law been in place.. the first four or five Taoisigh wouldn't have been entitled to stand for election.

In fact, it is an utterly utterly stupid ignorant idea.

What were you thinking ?

What next, should people with ginger hair be debarred from running? Blue eyes? Inability to pronounce specific properly?

[rockofcashel]

I think nobody with a criminal record should be allowed run for office.

Why ?

I don't think people who are irredeemably stupid should be allowed vote.. but who am I to deny you?

[still-life]

Hopefully the law will be tightened up here and we will all be spared the mudslinging and abuse we have heard over the last 2 months. And this could also help victims rights.

as in "we will be spared the bother of having to sling mud, since we quasi-legally excluded our opponent"?

I think you're soft on crime - let's f3ck em all back into gaol and save on paperwork.

Carry on Sgt Redneck.