A NORTHSIDE TD has issued a warning to Independent TDs, senators and councillors to be
“cautious
? about getting involved with Reform Alliance.
However, a local member of the newly formed group has hit back at the comments.
Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath (Ind) claimed that for the past few weeks Reform Alliance have been undermining the Independent brand and the
“great work
? that Independents do at national and local level.
“People are fed up with the party politics and are looking to the Independents to be their voice,
? Deputy McGrath told Northside People.
“They know that the Independents are only answerable to the citizens of Ireland and not any political party or elite group.
“The Independents have become a major new force and have huge potential to put new and radical policies forward to build a new Ireland.
“The Reform Alliance are nothing but a group of disillusioned Fine Gael TDs that basically support the economic policies of their Government but reject their social policies.
?
Deputy McGrath said he will be encouraging his Independent colleagues not to get involved with Reform Alliance.
“Genuine reform will only come with good and solid Independent voices that reflect the true voice of the people at a local and national level,
? he claimed.
“We all want change. We all want reform. We all want a new Ireland but the best way forward is more Independents in the Dail fighting for our citizens.
?
Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (Ind)), a member of Reform Alliance, said he recognises that people working together as a team make greater progress than those working alone.
“I am disappointed that Deputy McGrath does not recognise that more political debate is what is needed in this country at the present time and not less,
? Deputy Flanagan told Northside People.
“That is why I am inviting all members of the Oireachtas who are members of political parties and those that are members of none to come along with members of the public and attend the conference that we are hosting on Saturday, January 25 in the RDS.
?Deputy Flangan said the conference would deal with the economy, reform of the health service and political reform.
“Myself and my colleagues don’t have all the answers and that is why the Reform Alliance looks forward to hearing from the general public as to their views on these matters,
? he added.
“We in the Reform Alliance don’t want politics to be a closed shop.
?
Deputy Flanagan, who won a seat in the Dublin North East constituency in the 2007 General Election, was expelled from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party after voting against the Government’s position on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill last July.
The members of the Reform Alliance are TDs Denis Naughten, Billy Timmins, Terence Flanagan, Lucinda Creighton and Peter Mathews, and Senators Fidelma Healy Eames and Paul Bradford.