Fine Gael today introduced millionaire businessman Brody Sweeney as a prospective candidate in the next general election.
The founder of the O'Briens sandwich bar chain received the endorsement of party leader Enda Kenny in Dublin this afternoon and declared his intention to seek a nomination for the Dublin North East constituency.
Mr Sweeney addressed the parliamentary party in September on his views on how business and politics intersect, but it was only today he signed membership papers in front of the media.
He stressed he had approached the party because he felt disillusioned after the return of the coalition in the last general election. He had neither sought nor received any assurances from the party and would be spending the time before the next general election - expected in 2007 - "getting stuck in on the ground" building an electoral base.
Fine Gael lost its seat held by Michael Joe Cosgrave in the constituency in 2002. Mr Brody said he had joined Fine Gael because the party was the only one capable of forming the core of an alternative government.
He advocates a move away from the "politics of negativity" and conceded that he does not regard Government economic policy as being a particular weak spot. But he expressed concern about the Ireland's reliance on foreign direct investment to drive growth.
Government policy must become more focused on supporting indigenous industry developing existing traditional industries, he said. "We will rue the ruin of our agriculture industry in 30 years time," he warned.
He published a policy document called Green Ireland, urging the agricultural sector to respond to market opportunities by moving to a premium produce model that could still function profitably in a high-wage economy.
He said a new set of social values was also required: "The traditional family value is dead. We need to recognise that. . . . I am concerned about the transition. We have, materially, all we need, but we have an emptiness inside".
Mr Sweeney founded the O'Briens sandwich bar chain in 1988 and there are now 270 outlets in 12 countries.