Renua: We’ll hold balance of power

Renua Ireland believes it will hold the balance of power after the election.

Lucinda Creighton’s party is convinced it will enter coalition with Fine Gael despite remaining wary of the party. Ms Creighton said her party is adamant it will form part of the next government, whatever that may be.

“It is important for us and indeed it is important for the Irish people that Renua Ireland will be a part of the next government,” she said.

“You have to look at the numbers and at the moment the likelihood is, it’s not a certainty, but the likelihood is that the next government will be led by Enda Kenny as Taoiseach.”

However, she said there is “no difference” between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have played “Punch and Judy politics” over the past decade.

“Anything can happen. It’s going to be a long campaign. We will be mounting a serious challenge and we are just focusing at the moment on winning as many sets as we can,” she said.

However, she said the party is still wary of Fine Gael considering the length of time it took Mr Kenny to rule out doing a deal with Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry.

Renua Ireland has marked the issue of going into coalition with Michael Lowry or Sinn Féin as something it will not budge on in any government negotiations.

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“Any individual against whom serious and significant findings have been made by the Moriarty Tribunal has no role in government,” she said.

Ms Creighton added that Sinn Féin would “ruin our economy and destroy the progress of our recovery”.

Speaking on radio this morning Mr Kenny said he would not consider doing businesses with Mr Lowry after the general election.

Ms Creighton said: “I was delighted after 13 opportunities, the Taoiseach finally, 10 days later, ruled out Michael Lowry. I think it was important. But I think we have to be wary of that.”

Speaking outside Dublin Castle yesterday afternoon, the party outlined its red line issues which it claims will not be sacrificed in any negotiations for a new coalition after the general election.

Renua wants to establish a public commission on a flat tax which would report every nine months. This would back up the 23% flat tax it is campaigning for.

The newly formed party is running 26 candidates and Ms Creighton yesterday confirmed it is aiming for 10 Dáil seats.

Among other key issues for the party are the introduction of a three-strikes approach to criminal justice meaning serious repeat offences would be subject to tougher sentences.

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