Naughten: Reform Alliance not a new party

A founder of the Reform Alliance of former Fine Gael politicians has denied that the group is looking to become a full political party.

Denis Naughten said an event being held by the group later this month will not become a party conference.

He claimed the event is being held to discuss ideas which the group's members can then put forward in the Dáil and Seanad.

But Naughten insisted that setting up a breakaway party is not on the agenda.

"I'm absolutely clear on that … [but] I can't speak for the other six members," he said.

In fact, specifically our registration with SIPO debars us from actually contesting elections. So it is not the purpose of this particular vehicle to fundraise for election purposes."