The Dealer was interested to hear that the group of seven former Fine Gael TDs and Senators who lost the party whip over the past two years is planning an assault ahead of the 2016 general election.
The Reform Alliance, which is spearheaded by former Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton, has even gone as far as appointing spokesperson portfolios to a number of its members.
I’m told that Roscommon/South Leitrim TD Denis Naughten, who lost the Fine Gael party whip in 2011 over the closure of Roscommon hospital, will been given the role of agriculture spokesman. Peter Matthews from Dublin South will be looking after the finance portfolio while Senator Paul Bradford has been earmarked for Justice.
Bradford, who is Lucinda Creighton’s husband, was previously Fine Gael’s justice representative in the Seanad. The other members of the reform alliance are Billy Timmons, Fidelma Healy Eames and Terence Flanagan. One source close to the party said they are focused on winning seats in the 2016 general election but fear that a lack of resources could stand in their way.
“To win seats in an election, you need money,” the source told the Dealer. “They would have to do a lot of fund raising and asking people for money to go towards political reform in times like these might be a tall order.”
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