Former Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin has held a public meeting in Co Meath as he steps up his attempts to form a new political party.
Mt Toibin who left the Sinn Fein last month, held the meeting in the hope that he can form a new 32 county party.
It is believed that over 300 attended the event which is the first of five scheduled for the next week.
Mr Toibin who was strongly opposed the recent abortion legislation, told those in attendance that he wants to set up a party that will deal with key issues in Irish society including health and housing.
The former Sinn Fein TD also claimed that his party would approach issues differently than those already in the Dail.
He claimed that the current parties have a group think approach and they are intolerant of those who question the status quo.