Sinn Féin’s Carthy objected to EU ban on serious criminals becoming MEPs

 

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Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy objected to European Parliament legislation banning anyone convicted of a serious crime from becoming an MEP.

It comes after Mr Carthy said people convicted of serious crimes would not be banned from becoming taxpayer-funded, government advisers if Sinn Féin were in office following the next general election.

Mr Carthy abstained on EU legislation aimed at cracking down on organised crime and corruption, citing the prohibition on serious criminals being MEPs as his reason for opposing the resolution.

The Cavan/Monaghan TD said there were positive aspects in the legislation, but raised concerns over the “permanent loss of the right to be elected as MEP once convicted for a serious crime”.

“I believe this is an additional sanction that can only be imposed by the courts in individual cases, and after careful consideration of all circumstances,” he said at the time of the vote.

Mr Carthy also took issue with the legislation putting emphasis on “membership of a criminal organisation instead of the focus remaining on the actual acts performed” by criminals.

Former Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan, Martina Anderson and Liadh Ní Riada also abstained on the vote which was passed by the European Parliament in 2016 as part of sweeping reforms aimed at targeting organised crime and corruption.

In response to queries on the vote, Mr Carthy said it is “for the people to decide” who they elect as public representatives.

“Many former political prisoners, including the late Martin McGuinness, have served in political office with great distinction,” he told the Irish Independent.

“As part of the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement, it was clear that barriers to the employment of former political prisoners be removed and as someone who supports that agreement I support that position,” he added.

On Claire Byrne Live on Monday, Mr Carthy said Sinn Féin would not prohibit people convicted of serious crimes from becoming government advisers should Sinn Féin assume power after the next general election.

He said it was “silly” to ask if convicted criminals would be banned from being appointed to taxpayer-funded jobs and said Sinn Féin will appoint anyone they consider the best people for positions.

“It would depend on the circumstances. We will appoint as government advisers those people who are best qualified to do the job,” he said.

Sinn Féin has not said if Mr Carthy’s opinion was also the party’s position on the issue.

Yesterday, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris described Mr Carthy’s response as “astonishing”.

“This is quite an astonishing thing that the main opposition party, a party that wishes to lead the Government of this country is not willing to say clearly that it doesn’t believe hiring people with criminal convictions to take up sensitive roles in government is something that should be ruled out,” Mr Harris said

“Would they be an adviser at the Department of Justice, would they be an adviser in the Department of Defence, would they be an adviser in the Department of Foreign Affairs?” he said.