Simon Harris sceptical about ‘idle chit chat’ on new party

Minister of State for Finance Simon Harris has expressed some scepticism about the formation of another new party in Leinster House.

Mr Harris shares his Wicklow constituency with Independent TD Stephen Donnelly, who has held talks with fellow Independents Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall about forming a fresh political grouping.

Catherine Murphy, Róisín Shortall and Stephen Donnelly are believed to have held talks about the possibility of a new party in recent months and may be close to agreement.

Ms Shortall, a TD for Dublin North West who left the Labour Party in 2012, said she was “very keen” to talk to people to establish whether there is room for another new political party ahead of the next election.

Ms Murphy, an Independent TD for Kildare North, confirmed she is “talking to lots of people”, but had not made up her mind.

Mr Donnelly, who represents Wicklow, also said that talks had taken place.

“I have a lot of respect for those three deputies...I think they’re all deputies of substance even though we mightn’t agree on all issues,” Mr Harris said.

However, Mr Harris said politicians should concentrate on policies rather than personalities.

“I wish anybody who decides to enter the democratic process through the establishment of a new party all the very best, but you’ll excuse me for not getting very excited about the personalities and the rumours,” he said.

“I’d rather judge it on the substance when it is established, if it is established.

“I do think there’s a constant commentary within media and within politics about new groups emerging. Let’s actually wait and see what happens.

“We can’t be having a situation where every couple of months there’s a discussion about will a new party be formed. Let’s actually wait and see if it happens.”

He said politicians should be focused the economy and recovery “rather than engaging in the idle chit chat of who might set up a party with who”.

Senator Jillian Van Turnhout has said she is not interested in joining the new political party being discussed by the three prominent Independents.

Ms Van Turnhout on Thursday said there was “no truth” to reports she was involved in the group.

The new grouping would compete with the as-yet unformed alliance of Independent TDs and councillors being co-ordinated by Shane Ross and to a lesser extent with Renua, for the support of voters who say they do not support any of the established parties. That cohort has consistently ranked over 20 per cent in polls over the past two years.

In contrast, the TDs mentioned in the context of Mr Ross’s group – himself, Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Michael Fitzmaurice – are a more diverse group ranging from leftists to economically right-wing.

Independent TD Finian McGrath denied the establishment of the new independent grouping is a blow to his alliance.

Mr McGrath said: “The show still goes on. We are still rocking away.

“We have loads of lovely councillors around the country who are doing great work. They are new people, they are fresh people.

“They have an energy about them. If we can pull enough of them to stand as Independents around the country, we could see fresh new faces coming into Leinster House.”

Mr McGrath said his alliance will be “tripping down the plinth” when it has the numbers and the bodies.

Senator Averil Power, who recently left Fianna Fáil, said last night she had not spoken to any of the three TDs about joining a new group.

If formed, the new group is likely to be more cohesive than Mr Ross’s group in terms of policy and ideology.

While Mr Donnelly is seen as tilting right in economic policy, there would be far greater consensus among the names being suggested on social policy, giving a left-of-centre outlook.