Fine Gael's new corporate logo involves a "rejuvenation of the Fine Gael brand" rather than a radical departure, according to a party spokesman.
The single star is a variation on the ring of 12 stars - the European douze etoiles symbol - used in the old logo. The star is used not just as a European symbol, but as a Christian symbol - derived from the Star of the East - to signify involvement in Europe's Christian Democrat tradition.
The party name is written more clearly than in the last logo, and is in lower case letters to make it look more appropriate to the information age. Main names in email and web site addresses are all written in lower case lettering.
Finally, the colouring retains the traditional blue but uses a more vibrant and distinctive green than before. The party spokesman says this is to give expression to Irish identity. The party's decision to use more green - traditionally the colour most favoured by Fianna Fail - may reflect a feeling that as the paramilitary ceasefires continue, traditional nationalist symbolism is more acceptable.
The spokesman said they were making no great claims for the logo, save that they liked it. It was designed by Ms Wendy Williams of Wendy Williams Graphic Design and cost less than £3,000.