Newly elected Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan TD outlined his vision for the party at a press conference this afternoon at the Mansion House in Dublin.
In his speech, Mr Noonan promised to remove what he called "the cancer in the body politic" presently diagnosed by the tribunals. He said "trust has been lost between politicians and people" due to the "widespread belief" that corporate contributions to politicians have a major influence on government policy.
In an effort to restore trust, the Fine Gael leader promised to introduce a private members bill in the Dáil banning all corporate donations to political parties. As of today, members of Fine Gael, he said have been instructed not to accept any further corporate donations.
Funding of the next election from the personal contributions of private citizens will be limited to £1000 in any one year.
Fine Gael would build "an alternative government" which would provide equal opportunities for all, Mr Noonan told today's gathering. He said "the debate is about equity; it is about freedom for all. It is also about how we use the wealth we create in the interest of all our people".
The new Fine Gael leader detailed his plans for a new "Social Contract" saying health care would be "the major issue" in the next general election campaign. He added that Fine Gael would not go into coalition with Sinn Fein after the next general election. Mr Noonan said he would not talk to Sinn Féin as long as they have a military wing.
Announcing his commitment to a major public housing programme, Mr Noonan said the "great failure" of the current Government was that so many young people can no longer afford to buy houses of their own. He said that the housing issue would also be "a matter of priority so "all our people have access to affordable housing".