Lucinda Creighton's Renua Ireland – 'Just a repackaged Fine Gael'

FORMER Fine Gael TD Lucinda's Creighton's new political party, Renua Ireland, launched on Friday, is nothing more than a repackaged Fine Gael, says Dublin Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan.

"While I welcome Lucinda’s new party on to the political playing field, I believe that there is little space for another conservative party on the right of Ireland’s political divide," Lynn Boylan MEP said.

The former junior Minister for European Affairs launched the Renua party after she was expelled from Fine Gael for voting against the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

Others joining her in the party include two former Fine Gael TDs (Terence Flanagan and Billy Timmins), as well as a former Fine Gael senator (husband Paul Bradford) and a Government-appointed Independent senator.

Renua says it would be "impossible" for it to go into Government with Sinn Féin. 

It also says it cannot rule out laying-off public sector workers while it is keen to emphasise itself as very much "pro-business".

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said:

"We have had enough of the two main conservative parties who have dominated Irish politics since the foundation of the state.

"Ireland simply has no appetite for a repackaged Fine Gael Party. People are crying out for alternative politics, not more of the same."

Lynn Boylan said people want investment in public services, the most vulnerable protected, and ensuring that those who have most pay their fair share.