Fís Nua
Encyclopedia
Fís Nua is a minor political party
in the Republic of Ireland
.
The party was formed in June 2010, mainly by former members of the Green Party
who were unhappy with that party's participation in the then coalition government
with Fianna Fáil
. Fís Nua intended to campaign on the issues of political transparency, environmental issues and social justice, and hoped to draw support from existing supporters of both the Greens and the Labour Party
.
The party was registered on 4 February 2011, and on the following day it was announced that they would run six candidates in the 2011 general election.
"Fís Nua" translates from Irish
as "New Vision". Fís Nua are not to be confused with a separate organisation called New Vision
, which also ran candidates in the 2011 general election.
Fís Nua has one town councillor in Wicklow, Pat Kavanagh, who was elected as a member of the Green Party, but has since quit that party and will run in the next election as a Fís Nua candidate.
, Dublin South East
and Waterford
and two in Wicklow
. At the press launch on 5 February the party announced that it would also contest Cork South West
and but their candidate failed to be nominated by the deadline of 9 February.
Although registered on 4 February 2011, the party's name did not appear on the ballot, as the Register of Political Parties in use was that in force on 1 February when the writ for the general election was issued.
held in October 2011. This was the first election at which the party's name appeared on the ballot paper. The party's candidate, Peadar Ó Ceallaigh, came last of the 13 candidates, securing 40 votes or 0.1% of the total first preferences.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
The party was formed in June 2010, mainly by former members of the Green Party
Green Party (Ireland)
The Green Party is a green political party in Ireland. It was founded as the Ecology Party of Ireland in 1981 by Dublin teacher Christopher Fettes. The party became the Green Alliance in 1983 and in 1987 was renamed to its current title in English...
who were unhappy with that party's participation in the then coalition government
Coalition government
A coalition government is a cabinet of a parliamentary government in which several political parties cooperate. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament...
with Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
. Fís Nua intended to campaign on the issues of political transparency, environmental issues and social justice, and hoped to draw support from existing supporters of both the Greens and the Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
.
The party was registered on 4 February 2011, and on the following day it was announced that they would run six candidates in the 2011 general election.
"Fís Nua" translates from Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
as "New Vision". Fís Nua are not to be confused with a separate organisation called New Vision
New Vision (electoral alliance)
New Vision was an electoral alliance of independent candidates formed to contest the 2011 Irish general election.The formation of the group was announced at a meeting in Dublin organised by the economist David McWilliams on 31 January 2011...
, which also ran candidates in the 2011 general election.
Fís Nua has one town councillor in Wicklow, Pat Kavanagh, who was elected as a member of the Green Party, but has since quit that party and will run in the next election as a Fís Nua candidate.
2011 general election
The party ran five candidates in the 2011 general election: one each in Dublin CentralDublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
, Dublin South East
Dublin South East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin South–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
and Waterford
Waterford (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Waterford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
and two in Wicklow
Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Wicklow is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
. At the press launch on 5 February the party announced that it would also contest Cork South West
Cork South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Cork South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies . The method of election is the single transferable vote form of proportional representation .- History and boundaries :It was...
and but their candidate failed to be nominated by the deadline of 9 February.
Although registered on 4 February 2011, the party's name did not appear on the ballot, as the Register of Political Parties in use was that in force on 1 February when the writ for the general election was issued.
Results
| Constituency | Candidate | 1st Pref. votes | % 1st Pref. votes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Central Dublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
Liam Johnston | 48 | 0.1% | Eliminated after first count |
| Dublin South East Dublin South East (Dáil Éireann constituency) Dublin South–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
Peadar Ó Ceallaigh | 18 | 0.1% | Eliminated after first count |
| Waterford Waterford (Dáil Éireann constituency) Waterford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies... |
Ben Nutty | 257 | 0.5% | Eliminated after first count |
| Wicklow Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency) Wicklow is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies... |
Pat Kavanagh | 291 | 0.4% | Eliminated after eighth count |
| Gerry Kinsella | 324 | 0.5% | Eliminated after ninth count |
Dublin West by-election, 2011
The party contested the the Dublin West by-electionDublin West by-election, 2011
A by-election was held in the Dublin West constituency on 27 October 2011 following the death of the Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála and former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, Jnr on 10 June 2011...
held in October 2011. This was the first election at which the party's name appeared on the ballot paper. The party's candidate, Peadar Ó Ceallaigh, came last of the 13 candidates, securing 40 votes or 0.1% of the total first preferences.