Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2014: Second Stage

 

11:55 am

Photo of Mark DalyMark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support this Bill and the change to the electoral laws that disallowed a bankrupt to be a Member of Parliament. As the Minister pointed out, that disqualification was removed for local authority elections some time ago and is an anomaly in the EU in this regard. Whereas bankruptcy could end in the debtors’ prison, society has moved on in its views on bankruptcy. We have 100,000 mortgage holders in arrears and many people have gone to the UK seeking redress from bankruptcy under UK law. It must be treated as an everyday occurrence rather than a matter for which someone must be punished.

Fianna Fáil supports the Bill. While it is being rushed, the cut-off for nominations for candidates in the European elections is coming soon and we want to ensure this legislation is enacted before then. The provision has been in place for local authority elections for the past 40 years. It is unfair that a hardworking Member of this House could be precluded from running for elected office because of bankruptcy during the downturn. This is an issue of fairness and that is why we will support this legislation.

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