The new Chairman of the Fine Gael party Richard Bruton has said the party needs to "flex its muscle more".
Speaking to the Your Politics podcast, he said he wants to change the role of the parliamentary party, to work as a "tighter team" and for it to take a much more serious role in being the "dictators of policy" but not in contradiction to Government.
He said Fine Gael has an important role that needs to be developed in a more "distinct way" now that they are in coalition with two other parties.
Mr Bruton said the party's achievements did not manifest into value at the general election and that there is a question mark for the party over that.
He said there is no doubt centrist parties are under pressure throughout Europe from more "populist parties" who he said offer "pretty simplistic solutions to very complex problems".
A TD since 1982, Mr Bruton has held four ministerial positions and did not get a Cabinet position in this new coalition Government, but he said he has been very fortunate.
He also shares his passion for cooking.
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