The Labour leader Brendan Howlin says he hopes to reconnect with voters following the party’s dismal performance in February’s General Election.

Mr Howlin’s comments come ahead of the party’s think-in this evening, which is taking place ahead of the new Dáil term.

Deputy Howlin has admitted his party “over promised” ahead of the last election, but says his focus is now on rebuilding the party.

He said: “Our aim is very simple now, to reconnect with those working people who want a better future for themselves, who want a fairer society. And they know that Labour has always done that.

“We’ve made mistakes, we know that in the last five years, we over promised in advance of the last election.

“Bluntly, a lot of people weren’t listening to us. Progressive policies in areas like childcare weren’t heard in the last election, we need for those policies to be heard now.”