'Secular agenda' of parties condemned

All political parties with the possible exception of Sinn Féin have "sold out to a European secular agenda", according to the…

All political parties with the possible exception of Sinn Féin have "sold out to a European secular agenda", according to the Christian Solidarity Party (CSP) which has unveiled its eight election candidates, seven men and one woman.

Party president Richard Greene said it intended to "promote Christian policies that increase social justice for the poor, the sick and the elderly and encourage families to prosper and thrive, as we believe the family is the basis of all nations".

Their main campaign platforms are to "burn the bondholders" and "restore national sovereignty".

The preferred party for transfer of their votes is Sinn Féin because of its staunch opposition to the Lisbon treaty and its stance in the North, with other political parties, to agree not to implement British abortion legislation.

Meath West candidate Manus MacMeanmain said voters would decide themselves where to transfer their votes but it would be "logical" to transfer to those who supported their "Euro realist" stance. They would encourage voters to vote for pro-life candidates.

The party wanted to run in "key constituencies" including "two of the most liberal constituencies in the country".

Their candidate in Dún Laoghaire is Daire FitzGerald, while their only female candidate, Jane Murphy, is standing in Dublin South.

The party has also targeted Cork where Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin "the most pro-EU politician" is standing, but their candidate, Harry Rea, is running in Cork North Central, while Mr Martin is a TD for Cork South-Central.

Mr Greene, a former Green Party councillor who is not running for election, said the party was "determined to oppose Fine Gael's intention to abolish compulsory Irish in secondary level schools and colleges and to do away with Fianna Fáil's anti-family taxation policy such as tax individualisation and their intention to support GM foods".

He said: "We believe that Ireland should imitate the New Zealand model or organic farming and take back control of our fisheries and forestries and the resources of our seas from the control of the EU."

The party also believes the morning-after pill "endangers the morality of our nation".

Christian solidarity has over 300 members, each of whom pays an annual membership of €25. The party hopes to run its election campaign for about €10,000 and is also funding its costs through private donations.

The party's candidates are: Conor O'Donoghue, Limerick City; Paul O'Loughlin, Dublin Central; Daire FitzGerald, Dún Laoghaire; Michael Larkin, Dublin North West; Colm Callanan, Dublin South Central; Manus MacMeanmain; Jane Murphy, Dublin South; Harry Rea, Cork North Central.

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran

Marie O'Halloran is Parliamentary Correspondent of The Irish Times