'Radical centre' party believes it can save the economy

Conor McMorrow

Ronan Burke: founder of new party Amhrán Nua

A NEW POLITICAL party, styling itself as an Irish version of the Liberal Democrats in the UK, will be officially formed in the coming weeks.

'Amhrán Nua' is expected to be registered as a political party with the clerk of the Dáil before Christmas and its founding members believe they can rescue the Irish economy through a number of initiatives, including the revival of the ancient 'Tailteann Games'.

Party founder Ronan Burke said, "Amhrán Nua is a political party founded on the principles of transparency and accountability. Like the Liberal Democrats in the UK we could be called radical centrists, although I prefer the practical party myself.

"The concept first came about at the start of the year. From chatting to people online and in general, I was struck by the quantity of great solutions to people's problems that ordinary people have which are being ignored by the people in charge of the country.

"Myself and a few others decided to accumulate all these ideas and concepts into one platform and start off a political party."

Burke, from Galway, is a computer programmer who has also worked in areas like marketing, printing, sales and exporting.

So far Amhrán Nua has 100 fully signed-up members and about 300 who have signed up on the party's website and Facebook site. Burke explained that it needs 300 signatories before it can officially register as a political party and it hopes to complete this process before Christmas.

Explaining the name Amhrán Nua, Burke said, "The first words of the national anthem contain the name 'Fianna Fail'. Our name is a counterpoint to that name. Fianna Fáil has its pluses but it has just become a poster boy for corruption, a lack of transparency, back-room deals and incompetence."

Amhrán Nua plans to develop the country's IT sector and green energy jobs "without looking for foreign direct investment." It also believes it can draw "millions of people from areas such as Irish-America" into Ireland for a revived Tailteann Games event.

This was an ancient sporting event held before the Norman invasion for a 30-day period annually. The GAA attempted to revive the games in 1924, 1928 and 1932 and the new political party believes reviving the games could attract diaspora from all over the world.

Jason Finnerty, chair of the Dublin regional group, said, "Our main plan is to grow the party by getting good activists who are really interested and willing to give up their time. We have already set up regional groups in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Once we grow these regional groups we are hoping to split them into constituency groups and from that we hope to mount general-election campaigns."

October 25, 2009

Comments

#1 Fed up with it all commented, on October 25, 2009 at 8:13 p.m.:

and for a change....a new bunch of opportunists...who are trying to be another FF...but they are not another FF....and they want to be more liberal than any other...

This is like the PDs all over again....

#2 Nildesp commented, on October 25, 2009 at 8:52 p.m.:

Sounds like an entry for the Eurovision, with lyrics about as meaningful.

#3 Roger Rafferty commented, on October 25, 2009 at 11 p.m.:

Amadán Nua

#4 Mike Shannon commented, on October 26, 2009 at 9:06 a.m.:

I think this is a great idea. We could do with a few new options on the political landscape. Why does everyone always dismiss something new. It's obviously a party born from frustration at the existing political leeches we have. good luck i say. mike

#5 Listener commented, on October 26, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.:

Well they can't make a worse job of our country than those who are running it at present

#6 John Cahil commented, on October 26, 2009 at 1:44 p.m.:

Why in Ireland is anyone who changes or attempts to change things always put down by the begrudgers and nay sayers.

I for one, applaud these guys for actually getting of their bums and trying to do something instead of always whinging and making no meaningful contribution whatsoever.

I say go on and more power to them!

#7 Amhran Nua commented, on October 26, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.:

Just a bit of a clarification there, we're not as such styling ourselves on the Liberal Democrats, we haven't really got a particular position on the left-right political spectrum, which is a problem the Lib Dems ran into themselves, so they coined the phrase "radical centre". Our policies aren't based on theirs nor is the party associated with them in any way, so no need to fear a revival of the PDs fed up with it all! :-D

@Nildesp: we have plenty more to say if you take a look at the website, we warmly welcome feedback on the forum.

#8 Doug commented, on October 26, 2009 at 9:37 p.m.:

Amhrán Nua as a newly formed political party has its own distinct policies and visions for the future of this country. Transparency and accountability in politics is an essential part of that. Amhrán Nua does not wish to become as FF, or any other existing political party for that matter. It is not a re-manifestation of the PDs, nor has it links to or association with the Lib Dems.

It is an entirely new political party soon to be registered which shall afford the Electorate in this country a fresh choice. People comment that they desire an alternative to what already exists in Irish politics. This is what Amhrán Nua is and shall be.

#9 david commented, on October 26, 2009 at 9:58 p.m.:

exacty what we need to see at this point, ya'd have my vote we have to move away from voting for some clown just coz ya voted for his dad.
God help us , we are a joke of a country

#10 eileen waters commented, on October 28, 2009 at 9:43 a.m.:

We need a new party.lets hope they are given a chance.

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