Eddie Hobbs has hit back at criticism of Ireland's latest political party and defended the movement's commitment to creating a "minimum lifestyle standard".
Mr Hobbs, who is financial adviser to Reboot Ireland, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning and along with Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole who has been highly critical of the party and claimed that it lacks "philosophical co-coherency."
The Commentariat
Mr Hobbs put this down to the fact that the party is still in its formative stage, and that it is yet to announce more specific details regarding its policies.
He continued to claim that Mr O'Toole was "looking at the principals, but attacking personalities", adding that critics of the movement in general have been "inaccurate and unfair".
The financial adviser said that it has been claimed that the new party would "slash and burn" social protections - but that this is untrue. He reiterated the movement's commitment to a "minimum lifestyle standard".
He explained the idea: "We are bringing in a completely new way of thinking. What we're suggesting is that all of the resources of government are reconfigured to produce a new measure - not GDP, [...] We want to bring in a minimum lifestyle standard."
In effect, this means that the state uses right-wing policies that encourage business and entrepreneurship - to achieve left-wing social aims.
He also said that the party would work to make the state as "light as possible".
Responding to criticisms of a lack of defined social stances, Mr Hobbs said that the new, yet to be named party, will be "agnostic on social issues" - reiterating that the party will have no whip system.
Commitment
Ivan Yates asked Mr Hobbs if the fact that he could not make a commitment to run as a candidate in the next General Election raised questions about his commitment to the movement. Mr Hobbs commented that his business commitments would need to be considered before he could put himself forward.
He says that his main focus for now is fostering "new thinking" in Irish politics - adding that he is happy with the initial reaction to last week's press conference - claiming that there is a "huge tailwind coming behind what we have done."
Adding: "People are already getting it - they get the principals."
Independents
Mr Hobbs commented that government by independents is like "government by flash mob."
But he also expressed his admiration of a number of independents. When asked if the party should be doing more to get independents involved in the movement - he responded that there is: "A lot of discussion going on in the background."
He expanded on this point by reiterating that the party will not be built around those who are already involved in politics, and that it will involve a lot of, "new energy and new people, with fresh thinking."
