The Shane Ross-led Independent Alliance is gearing up to go head-to-head with Ireland's newest political party Renua.

80 councilors are to attend a summit in Tullamore next weekend, including Ross, Michael Fitzmaurice, Finian McGrath and John Halligan.

According to the Sunday Independent, only independent councilors who polled a high vote in the last local elections have been invited.

Members say they are determined to make the Independent Alliance different from other established parties, and it will have no whip system.

John Halligan spoke to the paper:

''We will be united around certain issues; ending the golden circle, Dail reform, banks and personal debt but we are also united in our opposition to the whip."

It's understood the meeting was planned prior to the launch of Lucinda Creighton's new party last Friday.