RENUA Ireland has been revealed as the name of Lucinda Creighton’s new political party.
The party leader launched the organisation’s official moniker today, at an event held at Dublin’s Science Museum with fellow party members and supporters.
Translated as the Irish for ‘new era’ the name is also a play on the English word renewal, the Dublin South TD claimed at the launch.
“Renua is committed to the development of a community of freethinking economically unburdened free citizens,” the party claims.
“We believe in building a better society for all. Our core beliefs and policies are founded on the values of egalitarianism, equality of opportunity and social solidarity.”
Other members of the new party include deputy leader Billy Timmins TD, Terence Flanagan TD, Senator Paul Bradford and businessman Eddie Hobbs.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Creighton insisted that Renua Ireland is a party which will promote, and is founded on, the principle of open government policy.
"I would refer to this new policy as government in the sunshine, a completely open policy where there is no need for cabinet confidentiality, except of course for security issues,” she said.
"I think it will have a massively positive impact. The idea that the masses can't be trusted with information is nonsense."
The newly revealed party website states: “Renua is a new political party founded on a code of ethics that determines everything we say and do; and a belief that change is possible. We can make Ireland better. We must restore faith in politics. We, the people of RENUA will work tirelessly, inventively and collaboratively towards building the good society, not just a good economy. A society that puts the betterment of all, ahead of the betterment of the few. A kind of politics that seeks to be judged by our actions, not our promises.”
It adds: “Politics as usual has failed the people of Ireland. There is a need to liberate politics from broken promises, mistrust, failed policy and inadequate structures. Ireland needs a new kind of politics.”
Since announcing her intention to create a new political party for Ireland in January, Ms Creighton, a former Fine Gael politician, who was expelled from the party in 2013 after voting against the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, has spent months attempting to generate financial support for the organisation.
Today she acknowledged the ongoing challenge party funding presents, stating: “We will be relying on the goodwill and generosity of the Irish people. There is already an appetite. We will be doing it in a transparent fashion and publishing our accounts."
While revealing the party’s intention to run up to 60 candidates in Ireland’s next general election, which is due to take place before April 2016, Ms Creighton called for more Irish women to get involved in politics.
Visit the new party’s website here.
