Hobbs: New party aims to keep public-sector pay in check
Eddie Hobbs says his new party has left-wing targets - using right-wing economics.
The financial journalist is joining Lucinda Creighton to form a new political party being launched in around eight weeks time.
The founders claim they want a minimum standard of living for everyone in Ireland, while also supporting entrepreneurs.
But Hobbs is also very clear about keeping civil service wages in check.
"Public sector remuneration would not increase, unless the minimum lifestyle standard increased first," he said.
"That would be the primary objective of Government - I can't be any clearer than that.
"So, in other words, we have a left-wing target, if you want to put it in the old vernacular, using, you could argue, right-wing economics, which is the idea of minimising the cost to the State, making it highly efficient, to get the maximum pass-through from taxpayers for those most in need."
Earlier today, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams TD dismissed the new party, saying: "While I wish Lucinda Creighton and her colleagues well for the future, I also believe that the last thing that Ireland needs is yet another conservative political party.
"Economic and political conservatism is at the root of all our recent difficulties.
"There is little in the background, outlook or policies of Lucinda Creighton or those aligned with her that offers the type of political change that citizens now seek.
"Irish society faces a choice between a continuation of the failed politics of conservatism or a genuine republican alternative that offers the prospect of radical political change.
"That is what Sinn Féin is offering and that is type of politics that is required to confront this deeply unpopular and arrogant Government."
