FÍS NUA:A NEW political party, Fís Nua, has promised to remove corruption from public and political life.

At the launch of its campaign, on Saturday the party, officially registered on February 4th, confirmed it would run six candidates.

The Fís Nua candidates include Wicklow town councillor Pat Kavanagh, Dr Ben Nutty in Waterford and Donal O’Riordain, Cork South West, all former Green Party members. Gerry Kinsella will run in Wicklow, Ian Clotworthy in Dublin South East and Liam Johnston in Dublin Central.

Its policies include the establishment of local currencies at council level to be linked together through a national network. The local currencies would work in a similar way to the Kenmare Youro, already in operation in the Kerry town. Shoppers there can buy youros for 95c, and so get a 5 per cent discount on goods when they shop locally.

The party also proposes a “steady State economy” that features “sustainable scale, fair distribution of wealth, and efficient allocation of resources”.

It proposes the establishment of a national redevelopment community fund to make loans available to community organisations and small businesses. It would introduce a basic income for all, reduce VAT by 3 per cent, phase out VRT and motor tax and replace both with a fuel surcharge. It would also “demerge banks” to reduce the risks of systemic failure.