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IT’S NEARLY THREE months since Renua Ireland was launched in blaze of publicity with much interest in Lucinda Creighton’s new political endeavour.
There’s no doubt the former Fine Gael minister is front-and-centre of the country’s newest political party, but behind the scenes there are lots of people working on candidate selection, policy, strategy and fundraising.
We’re waiting to hear a lot more about what Renua stands for and what it proposes in areas like health and water.
But here are a few things we gleaned from Creighton’s wide-ranging interview with TheJournal.ie this week…
1. It’s still early days
The latest Red C poll shows Renua on just one per cent with the party having so far failed to capitalise on the anti-government sentiment that had been drifting towards the ‘independents and others’ category.
But Creighton thinks “it’s very early days” and that the by-election result in Carlow-Kilkenny – where Patrick McKee came fourth – shows progress:
2. Renua will run more than 40 candidates
At the glitzy launch in March, Creighton said Renua would field 50 to 60 candidates at the next general election. This week she told us it would definitely be more than 40 and that a quarter of these, including herself, will be officially selected within a fortnight.
But will she take a running mate with her in the competitive four-seat Dublin Bay South?
3. But should she have resigned and sought a new mandate from her constituents?
Having been elected as a Fine Gael TD in 2011, one could argue that Creighton has no mandate from her constituents to be a Renua TD. In the UK, Tories who defected to UKIP, resigned their seats and ran in by-elections.
We put it to Lucinda that she should have done the same:
4. Renua is in favour of water charges… and an Irish Water
No one can accuse Creighton’s party of being populist when it comes to water. In March she said she wanted to “dismantle” Irish Water.
But this week, Creighton appeared to row back on that, saying a single utility “is far more effective” than local authorities in the provision of water.
She also believes it’s reasonable for people to pay for water, but it appears Renua doesn’t yet have a detailed policy on water:
5. What were those odd welfare comments about?
In Renua’s policy document, published in March, the party stated in relation to welfare that:
Those who are not self-reliant will be imprisoned rather than released by a life on welfare.
That statement caused a bit of a stir on social media at the time:
But Creighton explained this week it wasn’t about imprisoning people on welfare, it was merely a metaphor.
There are people who have no prospects in life because of the postal code where they’re born.
Watch more:
6. Finally, what about the public service?
Renua has been highly critical of the recently-announced public sector pay deal, decrying it as more of the same old bad politics. But what exactly is Renua proposing should be done differently?
As the daughter a public servant and the sister of a teacher, Creighton believes it should be about performance:
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i dont see much of a future for this crowd .
They got more votes in Carlow Kilkenny recently than AAA & PBP combined. I think they’ll surprise a few people.
They got more votes in Carlow Kilkenny recently than AAA & PBP combined. I think they’ll surprise a few people.
Yeah,disgruntled farmers and similar Sunday mass craw-thumpers,mostly upset about gay weddings and bringing abortion laws into the 21st century..
Most of them have their own well,no water taxes,lifetime “Entitlements” for cutting their own hedges and feeding the starlings;and secure retirement pensions,and don’t give two fiddlers about anybody outside their little blinkered world of parish pump politics.
https://youtu.be/9sAowRrD4hg
Disgruntled about gay weddings? Yet the good people of Carlow Kilkenny also voted yes for gay marriage. Any more if your hate filled bile to spout?
So farmers and mass goers, their opinion doesn’t count?
Their candidate in Carlow/Kilkenny was an openly gay man.
I wonder did the anti water charges candidate take account of the fact that a large part of the constituency have their own well?
Fianna Fáil represents the interests of farmers and mass goers. Fact
Only supporters of AAA and PBP should be allowed to vote.
No mass goers should ever be allowed to vote again. As for those pesky farmers – how dare they vote for people who represent their interests!
Ya look stupid now Sean Mc…
Thanks for clearing that up Pepper. And there was me thinking I lived in a democracy.
fiction, FF repesent themselves, fact
Are the Journal supporting Renua this next election. Dont understand why so many articles on this Party.
Hugh seems obsessed!
“Are the Journal supporting Renua this next election. Dont understand why so many articles on this Party.”
Me, neither, please cut off the oxygen of cheap publicity for this mutant weed from Fine Gael.!
Even the Australians are sick of it..!
Play a nice song instead.
Go down to Leitrim and interview somebody interviewing:
https://youtu.be/9sAowRrD4hg
Renua is new and needs the media to question its policies and politics
Check out the Renua Ireland website and judge for yourself
If the media was to give all the organisations that would poll within the margins of even existing in the polls, we would see a lot more interviews with fringe parties like the Communist Party of Ireland. There is a concerted attempt on the part of the media to treat Renua like some party of the people, who represent a new wave of discontent at the government but let’s not forget why they came into existence. They exist purely because they didn’t want abortions where the life of a mother was at risk. They were in lock step with the government before that.
Not impressed by Lucinda
Yet somehow The Journal are impressed by her.
Hugh give it a break with all the Lucinda and avril articles.its getting a bit desperate
It’s just another shambolic party, no interest in them or F/G or Labour F/F.
SF or Independents have my vote come next election time.
Why sf? Other than the fact they’re not ff / fg / lab.
Imo, they dont make sense economically and i wouldnt share their opinions on certain other societal issues.
Agreed. Events in Greece have shown that SF and AAA policies of saying no to EU and giving ‘back to the people’ will not work. Independents will clean up at next election
Months in and they still mention ‘transparency’ at every possible opportunity. I still have no idea what their mandate is. Pointless party.
They won’t run two candidates if that would ‘jeopardise the seat that they already have in Dublin South East’. Are you kidding me??? They were Fine Gael votes, not Lucinda votes or Renua votes. When a politician jumps ship like this, there really should be a bye-election. Lucinda disenfranchised a lot of people by doing what she did.
Lucinda did not leave Fine Gael she voted according to her conscience on a social issue
And lost the party whip
Renua will allow its members have different opinions on social issues but remain like most other European parliamentary parties
She voted against the will of the people as expressed in the constitution of our country,which to my mind makes her less a principal led public representative and more a traitor.
With all due respect Lucinda voted against her Party whip not the “will of the people”, like many other TDs who voted against the proposed legislation regarding abortion in cases of suicidality. It was not in Fine Gael’s programme for Government either.
How about her past negative comments on same sex marriage and abortion? Any chance on changing her mind again to try win votes?!
Calling this a new party is like putting a saddle on a donkey and running them in the grand national, people aren’t going to be fooled and it isn’t going to win!
didn’t read the article, no intention of reading it. Sick of Lucinda and how different she is now that she has broken away from Endas harem. Lucinda please fcuk off back to the law library.
You can’t polish a turd Might be a fancy new party, with new logo, new sound bites but its the same old rubbish. Might as well vote for FG/Labour if voting for Renua. At least you know you’re going to be disappointed
@Beano. Right on brother. The sooner we get rid of the Blueshirts and Labour, the better. Fianna Fáil have done their time in opposition and are now ready to take the helm again. Fact. #SomethingToLookForwardTo
“Former” Fine Gael? LOL
If they are for lower taxes, fewer local/national politians, an affordabale public sector empowered by pridelike the US not soley renumeration, open vote on issues of conscience… then they have my vote
Are you a party affiliate?
Senan they are for the sun, the moon and the sky now..however propping up the party that spawned them will result in a serious compromise in what they settle for..as usual.
Kinda like the way the present Labour party shafted a lot of the people who elected them..
Typical Irish reaction, we all want reform and then just abuse the various efforts
“…. various efforts….” What has she ever done to reform anything.
How could anyone forget that “glitzy launch” how that hastily erected stage crumbled around them as Eddie tried not to run away. That blaze of publicity may have been a little brighter if the actually had any policies, which still have not materialised even with a army of party supporters working day and night. Renua Ireland 23 political party on paper hoping that the public wants more of the same. Another political party tea bagging the country with unknown backers and a unknown agenda. We known more about the IFA’s finances than any of the 23 political party’s registered in the state. Who seem to have found some secrets money tree even through a self inflicted recession.
Renua Ireland has developed values and principles upon which its policies will be developed
Check out website and then judge
You know, I think Sam Robertson is patjoejoe under another alias. I think he is a professional troll working for the highest bidder, which is obviously FF at the moment. At any other time patjoejoe would be all over threads like this with the same type of garbage on behalf of FG, but no sign of him. I smell a rat.
@Martin. How did you know?? Your powers of deduction are incredible!! Oh well my cover is blown so I may as well confess the whole thing. I am actually an agent of the Illuminati and I am on posting on the comments section of the journal.ie under a number of aliases as part of a fiendish plot involving BigFoot and the Lizard People to bring about the Illuminati’s goal of world domination. #ScrewBall
Just as I thought, Sam. Big of you to admit it, life must be a bit bleak under that bridge if your idea of a better life is to act as serf to the dregs of political Ireland, regardless of colour.
@Martin. Snore!!!!
Sam, or should I say pat, that comment is proof positive. Troll on, we’ll ignore you just the same, whatever guise you appear in.
You’re right. He’s a complete dickwad. No-one could support FF like this unless they’ve been bribed or are sub-normal. From the tone of his posts, I’m going with the latter. Watch how he reacts, now…
@Martin what are you babbling about now? Fianna Fáil deserve my support, will get my support and will also get the support of every right thinking Irishman who cares about his Country’s future. Fact. No prizes for guessing who you support anyway Martin. #Blueshirt
Ah wee Sammy-boy ;still stuck in the civil war no-one else gives a damn about? Such a poseur. So obviously fake. Pro-tool. (not the software, either…) Bye, little man.
Can we not have one off from the hard sell on behalf of this ambitious political lightweight.
“……one day off…..”
Ffs this was up 2 weeks ago
What is with all the positive publicity for this mediocre pathetic excuse for a party?? Renua are going nowhere. They have no vision, no principles, no policies and no hope. Fact. The most they can hope for is to take PD’s place as Fianna Fail’s Lapdogs after the election. That’s not going to happen because the next Government will be led by Fianna Fáil with Sinn Fein as Fianna Fail’s junior coalition partner. Fact. So Renua should do us all a favour and just go away. #Irritating
Lucinda and Renua are a breath of fresh air
Not aiming to be populist with unworkable policies of those comfortable opposition or those whose policies that could see all the poorer. Renua is not left or right but wanting open honest politics with policies that protect the most vulnerable while encouraging those who work to be rewarded. Renua may be a slow burner but those with integrity will attract a following
I think paying for water is quite correct, it’s how it’s done which is the issue.
Previously we paid through non-direct methods, other taxes. Now we have the return of rates so, as in the six counties, take the money necessary from this, without need to hike up this tax, and properly fund the service.
On the single water authority, Lucinda, don’t fall into the mistake we did in the occupied territory, centralising everything is not the answer and leads to many on the outside losing service.
On the ‘public sector pay deal’ the fact is, before the depression it was the private sector employee tax which supported the state employee, and the 20,000+ who still refused to work, during the depression it was the public servants, and the benefit recipients who supported government spending and their loss of income damaged the private sector as they had less in their pocket to spend, I’ve seen more new vehicles in the past two years than in the previous four and shop prices are again rising due to demand.
On seeking a new mandate, only pre brit election Tories did this on principle, previously, deserting Tories, to new labour, simply moved sides so why should she resign to re-run at major cost to the taxpayer? The election being only a short time out!
Sam, I disagree with your analysis, while they will not be as successful as the early day PD’s I do think they might take three to four seats, enough to be a force in the next Dail, remember, Sinn Fein once had only Ó Caoláin.
@Joey. Even, which is unlikely, they do get 3 or 4 seats. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein will have the numbers to form a Government and won’t need anybody else
To obtain the necessary number of seats Fianna Fáil would need to return to their pre-depression level of support, this would require a doubling in support presently reflected in poll after poll, let’s live in the real world Sam, this is not going to happen, the old day’s of seventy plus seats for Fianna Fáil are gone, the sticks will be lucky to retain fifteen next (or this) year, Fine Gael have lost support over more than economic lies and our electorate will seek alternative, they did in 2011, the hamster wheel Irish politics survived on for decades is now squared so, if you’re living on €188/week or, €238 on job bridge, who would you vote for.
I suspect Sam you would agree with me, Fianna Fáil took the blame for the depression which was simply the result of their implementation of european Directives (mind you, they did support them too but so did Fine Gael and Labour) but they have failed to capitalise on this and their leadership, the present and previous, must take responsibility for this failure.
Sinn Féin have fallen in support in the occupied area of our country but, as before, the people of the unoccupied part, have not had the horror of Sinn Féin policy abandonment affecting their lives, while also in this part of our country, they have significantly more competent Deputies and Senators dealing with issues affecting the lives of ordinary people, here I suspect is where they will win greater support, spin again but those in desperation will listen as they have no other hope!
Licinda, and her small number, as above, can take support from those people disaffected by Fine Gael/Labour broken promises and curious redirection of policy, I won’t be voting for them but I can see why people will.
@Joey. I disagree with you about the level of Fianna Fail’s support. I have been talking to a lot of friends and neighbours recently and the consensus among them is that they are fed up with the current shower, don’t trust Sinn Fein and think its time for Fianna Fáil to return to power. Fianna Fáil won’t be back to pre recession levels after the next election but it will be the biggest party in the Dail again. Sinn Fein will be the third biggest party. Between them Fianna Fáil and Sinn Fein will have the numbers to form a Government. I know a lot of well connected people in Fianna Fáil and my understanding from what they are telling me is that Fianna Fáil will then reluctantly go into Government with Sinn Fein. Joey what I have been talking about all along is not pie in the sky stuff. Its going to happen. I am just trying to get people used to the idea. The more used to the idea people are the more accepting they will be.
Always ready with the big lie, Sammy-boy? Martin Hayes has you nailed. Paid-up troll.
@Martin. We’ll if it isn’t Mr Vulgarity himself. I admit that my astute political analysis is deserving of monetary reward but alas I am not being paid. Who exactly do you think is paying me?? The Illuminati? The Chinese? The Martians? #ParanoidandDeluded
Sam Robertson, TROLL, FACT.
Stop talking to him people and don’t bother with the red thumbs, its just encouraging him.
He is not even a good troll, just a boring tosser that probably annoys people just as much in person.
Ah, Lucinda-the-Beautiful – can she retain her Dail seat? Not sure.
The Renua candidate in Galway West will have a hard old time – Cllr Charity looks like a nice chap but!
I dont trust any party ,that supports austerity after the last government loading the Irish people with 42% of European banking debt ,Paying a debt which was not the making of the Irish people , all those politicians voting for austerity that does not affect them or their families ,What a bunch of traitors Ireland has
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