A new approach to Fine Gael policy formation – Bruton

Fine Gael is to adopt a new approach to policy formation aimed at resolving problems and issues in Irish society.

Following this evening’s online Think-In with members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Chairman Richard Bruton said an innovative departure had been agreed by the TDs, Senators and MEPs.

“Fine Gael’s parliamentary party aims to become the most effective party at understanding, at articulating and at resolving problems in our society. Never has innovation in policy been as important as it is today as we grapple with the transformation wrought by Covid-19.

“We need to reach beyond traditional policy making sources and engage interested members of society from outside the political world on pressing issues in our local and global communities,” Deputy Bruton said.

“To achieve this, Fine Gael has decided to establish broad based policy laboratories to pioneer fresh ideas. The work will be overseen by a board which will have considerable independence in developing and publishing new proposals.

“While the parliamentary party will remain the ultimate authority for policy making, this will be an exciting new dimension for policy thinking,” Deputy Bruton said.

Deputy Bruton said, “I want Fine Gael’s Parliamentary Party to become an exciting forum where new thinking bears fruit, whether it be in nurturing new talent, responding to global challenges or building local resilience.

“Covid has shown our interdependence and our capacity to reach out to one another. This must be captured in new ways for politics to work for people.”

Tánaiste and Fine Gael President Leo Varadkar said Fine Gael must evolve and adapt with a rapidly changing world.

“The decision by my party colleagues to adopt a new approach is a good decision. Only by challenging previous party structures and decision making processes can we achieve changes in our political system with the overall aim of benefitting the Irish people that we are lucky enough to serve and work for,” the Tánaiste said.