Lucinda Creighton and mortgage broker Karl Deeter have presented a code of conduct prohibiting "cronyism" for members of a new party, to a south Dublin crowd of more than 150 people.
Mr Deeter, of Irish Mortgage Brokers, who drafted the code, said he was not a member of any party but was happy to assist politicians who asked for his help.
“There’s no shysters. You’re not wanted. If you’ve a crony inch in your body, get out. If you want to be a cute hoor, there’s a place for you. It’s just not ever going to be here,” he told the crowd.
Ms Creighton said she was tired of the cronyism she had seen at first hand in public life and she wanted to lead the charge in delivering change.
Her fledgling grouping, currently known as "Reboot Ireland" – and which is due to be officially launched as a party in March – held a meeting for people who had registered. The event took place in Tara Towers Hotel on Merrion Road in Dublin 4, which is in Ms Creighton's constituency.
“This transformation is urgent. We have been through seven years of crisis management period and we are emerging from it with nothing changed. We have to ensure we don’t allow these same mistakes to happen again, we owe it to future generations.”
The code of conduct was distributed, giving potential party members “an idea of the type of behaviour we would like to encourage”.
Under the code, members agree to “refrain from engaging in rumour and political point scoring based on rumour” and to take full responsibility for their words and deeds, “be they good or bad”.
The code also requires members to conduct themselves with “the highest moral and ethical standards” and act in a manner “which promotes positivity in politics”.
It requires them to “truthfully and faithfully” represent those who seek their assistance and be guided by “compassion, tolerance and fairness”.
Supporters were asked to sign the code and bring it to one of a series of team meetings taking place in March and April.
Financial adviser and commentator Eddie Hobbs said he came from "a long line of dissenters".
The State was “broken” and people had moved from “anger to total and utter intolerance”, he said.
"The Irish political process is arguably the most dysfunctional in the whole world . . . the Oireachtas might as well be out playing golf," Mr Hobbs said.
Independent Offaly-based councillor John Leahy said running as an Independent would be the "easy" option for Ms Creighton and himself.
He said the new party would have a national focus and would not be concentrating on delivering to local interests.
Marketing professional Noel Toolan acted as compere for the evening.
