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Independent Ireland

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Not to be confused with Irish independence, Irish Independent, Independent Irish Party, or Independent politician (Ireland).

Independent Ireland
LeaderMichael Collins
General SecretaryRichard O'Donoghue
ChairpersonKenneth O'Flynn[1]
Founders
  • Michael Collins
  • Richard O'Donoghue
Founded10 November 2023
IdeologyConservatism
Political positionRight-wing
European affiliationEuropean Democratic Party[a]
European Parliament groupRenew Europe[a]
SloganForward Together
Dáil Éireann
3 / 160
Local government
24 / 949
European Parliament
1 / 14
Website
independentireland.ie

Independent Ireland is a right-wing[2][3][4][5] political party in Ireland. It was formed on 8 November 2023 by former independent TDs Michael Collins and Richard O'Donoghue.[6][7] Collins said that the party seeks to provide "a comfortable alternative" to voters unhappy with the Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael–Green Party coalition but unwilling to vote for Sinn Féin.[8]

History

Collins is the leader of the party in Dáil Éireann, while O'Donoghue serves as general secretary. O'Donoghue told the Irish Examiner that he and Collins hoped to encourage members of the Rural Independents Group in the Dáil to join.[9] Both Collins and O'Donoghue had been members of the Rural Independents Group prior to founding the party.

Michael Fitzmaurice became the party's third TD in February 2024.[10] In the same month, Councillors Shane P. O'Reilly and Declan Geraghty joined the party and announced their intention to contest re-election to Cavan County Council and Galway County Council respectively.[11] In March 2024, John O'Donoghue of Limerick City and County Council,[12] Noel Larkin and Declan Kelly of Galway City Council, Kenneth O'Flynn of Cork City Council, and Nigel Dineen of Roscommon County Council all announced they would run for Independent Ireland in the 2024 local elections.[13][14][15][16]

On 5 April 2024, the party announced that former RTÉ correspondent Ciaran Mullooly would be standing for Independent Ireland in the 2024 European Parliament election in the Midlands–North-West constituency.[17][18] In the same month, Councillors Séamus Walsh and Noel Thomas of the Galway County Council, Paul Hogan of the Westmeath County Council, and Danny Collins of the Cork County Council announced they would run for Independent Ireland in the 2024 local elections.[19][20] On 22 April 2024, Ireland's Classic Hits Radio presenter Niall Boylan announced he would be running for the party in the 2024 European Parliament election in the Dublin constituency.[21]

On 1 May 2024, the general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) Eddie Punch, who earlier in the year said that he would run as an independent candidate at the European election, announced he had joined Independent Ireland and would be running in the South constituency.[22] Also in May 2024, John Cassin of the Carlow County Council and Joe Bonner of the Meath County Council announced they would run as Independent Ireland candidates in the 2024 local elections.[23]

In the European election, Independent Ireland's three candidates received 108,685 first-preference votes, coming fourth behind Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin. Ciaran Mullooly was elected in Midlands–North-West, with Niall Boylan coming fifth on the last count in the four-seat Dublin constituency.[24][25] In the local elections, the party ranked seventh in first-preference votes, with 51,562 votes, and elected 23 of its 61 candidates. The party elected six councillors to Galway County Council and four councillors to the Cork County Council, and became the third largest party on both councils. Of its thirteen incumbents, eleven were re-elected.

European Parliament group controversy

Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Ireland's sole member of the European Parliament, joined the liberal Renew Europe parliamentary group on 3 July.[26][27] Mullooly identifies as a centrist and has distanced himself from the more hardline stances of some party colleagues.[28][29][30] Independent Ireland had previously taken part in a December 2023 conference organized by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR).[31] Mullooly's decision to join Renew, the same group as Fianna Fáil, attracted significant criticism,[32] with fellow candidate Niall Boylan stating he would have joined the ECR if elected[33] and conservative commentator John McGuirk arguing that it was a "betrayal" of voters' trust.[citation needed] On 7 July, party chairwoman Elaine Mullally resigned her position, claiming Independent Ireland no longer aligned with her values.[1][34] Independent Ireland put out a 2,500-word statement on 10 July defending the decision, in which leader Michael Collins dismissed as "quite laughable" that by joining Renew, the party would be "supporting silly stuff like men being allowed to use women’s public toilets and that we would be advocating car-free streets".[32]

Policies

Independent Ireland has been described as right-wing[2][3][4][27] though some of its officeholders have rejected the "right-wing" label, instead describing the party as centrist or "common sense".[35][36] In a July 2024 statement, Independent Ireland described itself as "centre-right".[37][better source needed] The party has stated it does not operate a strict party whip system and allows its members freedom to speak and vote on key issues.[38]

Both Independent Ireland and Aontú advocated for a No/No vote in the 2024 Irish constitutional referendums.[39][40] Collins has said that he's "against abortion. Full stop."[41] Collins and O'Donoghue were co-sponsors of a 2021 bill that would have required pain relief for foetuses being aborted. The Dáil overwhelmingly defeated the bill.[42] Collins and O'Donoghue have both been alleged to have questioned the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19,[43][44] though both have since stated that they are not anti-vaccine and they have expressed a willingness to take a COVID-19 vaccine.[45][46]

The party states that it is against "open borders", claiming open borders are allowed and promoted by profiteers at the expense of the taxpayer.[47] During the 2024 elections, a number of Independent Ireland candidates made statements that were described by opponents as anti-immigration and anti-asylum seeker.[28] The party has pledged to enact planning reform, establish emergency modular housing schemes, and eradicate the issue of families living in emergency accommodations.[47] It aims to reduce the cost of living by freezing and reforming the Carbon Tax. It also wishes to end the Property Tax and abolish the Universal Social Charge for people over the age of 65 to avoid taxation of pensions.[47]

Elected representatives

In Dáil Éireann, the party has three TDs, all of whom were elected as independents but later switched to Independent Ireland. They are Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County), Michael Collins (Cork South-West) and Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon–Galway). The party has one member of the European Parliament, Ciaran Mullooly, who was elected at the 2024 European Parliament election to represent the Midlands–North-West constituency. Mullooly won the fifth and final seat in the constituency on the 21st count.[48] Independent Ireland contested its first local elections in 2024. Prior to those elections, the party had 13 councillors that had switched to Independent Ireland. Of those 13, 11 were re-elected and a further 12 were elected under the party name, for a total of 23 elected councillors. The party performed well in the elections to the Galway and Cork county councils, electing six and four councillors respectively, and becoming the third largest party on each council.[49] In October 2024, it was announced that Sligo councillor, Michael Clarke, had joined the party.[50]

Election results

Local elections

Election Seats won ± First pref. votes %
2024
23 / 949
 Increase 23 51,562 2.8%

European elections

Election Leader 1st pref
Votes 		% Seats +/− EP Group
2024 Michael Collins 108,685 6.23% (#4)
1 / 14
 New RE

References

  1. ^ a b Ciaran Mullooly, the Party's sole MEP has joined on behalf of the Independent Ireland Party.
  1. ^ a b Conway, Eve (12 July 2024). "Mullooly joins European Democrats amidst Independent Ireland chaos". Offaly Independent. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b Hickey, Emma (14 June 2024). "One MEP, 3 TDs and 23 local councillors: Independent Ireland is now a sizeable party". The Journal. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b O’Doherty, Ian (10 June 2024). "Sinn Fein's immigration stance has blown up in its face". The Spectator. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b Finn, Daniel (9 July 2024). "Ireland's Far Right". London Review of Books Blog. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Ireland". Europe Elects. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  6. ^ McGee, Harry (10 November 2023). "New Independent Ireland party registered with Electoral Commission". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Registration of Political Parties" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2023 (90): 1423. 10 November 2023.
  8. ^ Ryan, Philip (17 November 2023). "Two TDs launch new political party as 'comfortable alternative' to Sinn Féin". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  9. ^ Hosford, Paul (10 November 2023). "Cork TD Michael Collins to lead new political party". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  10. ^ Cunningham, Paul (12 February 2024). "Michael Fitzmaurice to join new Independent Ireland party". RTÉ News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  11. ^ Meehan, Stella (29 February 2024). "Independent Ireland recruits Galway cllr. for local elections". Agriland.ie. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  12. ^ Fitzpatrick, Frances (2 March 2024). "Limerick councillor joins Independent Ireland party". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Former Galway Mayor to run for Independent Ireland in Local Elections". Midwest Radio. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Loughrea councillor Declan Kelly joins new Independent Ireland party". Galway Bay FM. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  15. ^ Claffey, Martin (21 March 2024). "City councillor Ken O'Flynn joins Michael Collins' Independent Ireland party". Southern Star. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Roscommon Councillor Nigel Dineen to run for Independent Ireland". Midwest Radio. 30 March 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  17. ^ "Ciaran Mullooly set for major battle with local MEP according to a political analyst". Shannonside. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  18. ^ Canny, Richard (5 April 2024). "Former RTÉ journalist Ciaran Mullooly confirmed as Independent Ireland European election candidate". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  19. ^ McTaggart, Maeve (6 April 2024). "Councillors reprimanded by Fianna Fáil over stance on housing of asylum seekers in Galway to run for Independent Ireland". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  20. ^ Cusack, Adrian (16 April 2024). "Paul Hogan to run in Athlone and Moate areas for new Independent Ireland party". Westmeath Examiner. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  21. ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack (22 April 2024). "Radio broadcaster Niall Boylan to run for Independent Ireland in European elections". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  22. ^ "Eddie Punch joins Independent Ireland for European elections". Agriland. May 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  23. ^ Pender, Suzanne (6 May 2024). "Cllr Cassin seeks re-election as Independent Ireland candidate". Carlow Nationalist. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Doherty, Andrews, Lynn Boylan and Ó Ríordáin elected MEPs". RTÉ News. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Jubilation for Longford's Ciaran Mullooly as he is elected MEP in Midlands-North-West". www.longfordleader.ie. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  26. ^ Cosgrove, Liam (3 July 2024). "Former RTE correspondent Ciaran Mullooly joins ranks of Renew group in European Parliament". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b Connelly, Tony (2 July 2024). "Mullooly set to join EU's Renew grouping". RTÉ News. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  28. ^ a b Ryan, Philip (3 June 2024). "Rory Hearne accuses Ciaran Mullooly of 'hypocrisy' in scathing attack on Independent Ireland". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  29. ^ Hubert, Thomas (1 June 2024). ""I would have said that I was a centrist": Mullooly on energy, SMEs, and migration". The Currency. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  30. ^ Pepper, Diarmuid (12 April 2024). "Michael Collins TD proposes 'chemical castration' of rapists and defends guns for self-defence". The Journal. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  31. ^ Russo, Agnese (16 December 2023). "Atreju, la speranza e l'orgoglio di dare un nuovo futuro all'Ue: "La famiglia dei Conservatori si allarga"" [Atreju, the hope and pride of giving a new future to the EU: "The Conservative family expands"]. Secolo d'Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  32. ^ a b Scott, Claire; O'Connell, Hugh (13 July 2024). "Renew wasn't Mullooly's first choice in Brussels". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2024. Despite attracting significant criticism for effectively throwing his lot in with Fianna Fail after running on a "common sense" platform, Mullooly's party defended his decision in an extraordinary nearly 2,500-word statement issued on Wednesday.
  33. ^ @@Niall_Boylan (3 July 2024). "It's quite shocking that Irish Elected MEPs who ran on ticket for change would join a grouping in favour of the EU Migration Pact. Had I been elected the @ecrgroup would be the obvious group for real change and to be the voice of the people" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Comerford, Mark (11 July 2024). "Independent Ireland postpone Portlaoise meeting amid unrest among the ranks of new political party". Laois Today. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  35. ^ Coughlan, Mark (15 June 2024). "Beyond the banner: who was elected for Independent Ireland?". RTE.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  36. ^ Clifford, Mick (15 June 2024). "Mick Clifford: Where to next for far right in Ireland?". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  37. ^ "Independent Ireland Statement on a week of "Wild Speculation"". Independent Ireland. 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  38. ^ Sheahan, Fionnán (14 June 2024). "Independents in firing line of big parties as the newly elected to be scrutinised on policies". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  39. ^ Molony, Senan (13 February 2024). "Aontú only political party advocating for No-No vote on upcoming referendums on care and family". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  40. ^ Independent Ireland [@independent_ire] (4 March 2024). "The impact of this referendum on immigration law, tax law and family law is unknown. The lack of clarity on "durable relationships" may cause chaos in our courts. If you don't know, VOTE NO NO" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ Connolly, Emma; O'Mahony, Kieran (29 January 2018). "Two out of three CSW TDs against repealing the 8th". Southern Star. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  42. ^ "Dáil rejects abortion Bill from Rural Independent TDs". The Irish Times. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  43. ^ O'Shea, Joe (10 December 2020). "Cork TD says he won't take covid-19 vaccine". Cork Beo. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  44. ^ Lenihan, Barry (10 December 2020). "Would your local TD get the Covid-19 vaccine?". RTÉ.ie.
  45. ^ O’Rourke, Ryan (12 January 2021). "Limerick TD insists he is not 'anti-vaccinations' and says he will take Covid jab". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  46. ^ O'Shea, Joe (23 December 2020). "Cork TD says he will 'happily' take vaccine when he knows what he is taking". Cork Beo. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  47. ^ a b c "Independent Ireland". Independent Ireland. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  48. ^ "RTÉ Elections 2024, European Elections". RTÉ News. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  49. ^ "RTÉ Elections, Local Elections". RTÉ News. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  50. ^ "Clarke to contest General Election". Ocean FM. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
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