Independent TD hints at new party for next election

Ireland could be faced with a third new party at the next general election after Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice announced he intended to field 25 candidates with similar views.

Mr Fitzmaurice, who defied the odds to deprive Fianna Fáil of a seat in October’s Roscommon South Leitrim byelection, said he was “sickened” by what has happened to the country in recent years and people needed an alternative to vote for.

His remarks follow indications from Fine Gael rebel Lucinda Creighton and maverick TD Shane Ross that they may finally launch a political grouping to stand at the next election, which must be held by the spring of 2016.

Mr Fitzmaurice says he has not decided if his group of candidates would be a fully fledged party, or merely an alliance of like-minded candidates.

“I got into politics because I was basically sickened that we have lost 250,000 kids, our children, to emigration, and we need to do things in a different, in a new way,” Mr Fitzmaurice told Newstalk yesterday.

“People are fed up of the ding-dong that’s going on at the moment.

“I’d be talking to people all around Ireland, like-minded people that aren’t just right and left, but common sense and straight down the middle, because for too long different governments have lost contact with what is happening on the ground. Middle Ireland has been forgotten about.

“We need to do politics in a new way that gives hope to people.

“People are just sick of the circus that is going on.

“Whether it’s an alliance or a party, the people I am talking to will decide that. Hopefully all these people will run.

“If we want to change our country we have to step up to the mark.

“There are great people in this country and I would be encouraging them to stand up so we can do his together.!

Ms Creighton, who was expelled from Fine Gael for voting against X case legislation, has long hinted that she wants to turn her Reform Alliance grouping into a political party, but has denied accusations that she is a “political tease” who has failed to follow through on her ambitions.

A loose alliance of former Labour TDs on the left has also been spoken of in recent months.

Any move by Mr Fitzmaurice would cause disquiet in Fine Gael, as he has proved adept at winning the rural vote.