Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Reform Alliance members outside Buswells Hotel today. Hugh O'Connell/TheJournal.ie

"Our priorities are the country's priorities" - Reform Alliance

Direct election of the Ceann Comhairle, automatic addition to the electoral register and Attorney General certification for guillotined bills top the agenda for the Fine Gael rebels.

THE GROUP OF former Fine Gael TDs and senators today presented the reforms they wish to see carried out.

The group known as the Reform Alliance, TDs Lucinda Creighton, Billy Timmins, Terence Flanagan, Dennis Naughten and Peter Mathews and senators Paul Bradford and Fidelma Healy-Eames, met in Dublin today to trash out their vision for the future.

Despite Mathews being adamant that the alliance was not a new political party, the group posed for pictures together and released a joint statement in which they said that they wanted to play a “positive and constructive” role in matters.

The statement continued:

“The group believes that reform, new ideas and fresh thinking are necessary to tackle on-going problems in areas such as job creation, youth unemployment and emigration,  mortgages and personal debt, healthcare and education.

The Alliance is committed to bringing policies based on conviction and courage to the upcoming Dáil and Seanad sessions, and looks forward to working with government and opposition parties in the national interest.

Among the reforms that the group is calling for are the direct election of the Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot, new procedures on the guillotining of bills by the Government and the automatic inclusion of all those aged 18 or over on the electoral register.

Read: Rebels meet today but Peter Mathews insists: ‘There’s no new party. I’m a Fine Gael member’

Poll: Do you think the Reform Alliance should become a party?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
72 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds