EU chief hails Gilmore's renewal pledge

New Labour leader Eamon Gilmore’s pledge to renew the party was welcomed by the head of the Socialist Party in Europe this afternoon.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, president of the Party of European Socialists (PES), whose members include centre-left parties from all EU countries, urged Mr Gilmore to bridge the gap between Ireland’s haves and have-nots.

“The Celtic Tiger has left too many of its citizens behind,” he said.

“Despite its economic success, there are too many people that do not share the country’s prosperity. Ireland does need a new politics, and I know that the Labour Party is the only party that can bring those new politics to Ireland.

“To do so it needs renewal, it needs to reconnect with the people of Ireland.

“I wish Eamon Gilmore every success, and I offer him the full support of our European political family.

“I look forward to welcoming Eamon to our meetings of (national) party leaders.”

Mr Gilmore’s first such gathering is likely to be a PES meeting in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, in November.