Summer 2010 is proving a popular time for political make-and-do. In hotel function rooms around the country, disparate groups of disaffected people have been meeting with a view to taking Dáil Éireann by storm.

There's form. In the 1940s, the disillusionment caused by high unemployment, and dissatisfaction with years of Fianna Fáil government, lead to the establishment of Noel Browne's Clann na Poblachta. It was reasonably successful at the ballot box and got into a coalition government in 1948 (and then imploded, but that's another story).
The current crop of new groupings has a range of agendas, spanning the political spectrum (One mission statement declares: "The party places itself under the protection and guidance of Our Lady").
First up, there's Fís Nua ('new vision'), founded last month by former Green Party members who left that party for various reasons to do with the ongoing alliance with Fianna Fáil. Former Green MEP Patricia McKenna is involved, but she is "taking a back seat."
Then there's Direct Democracy Ireland, which wants the people consulted, through referendum, on all aspects of running the country, and would allow voters to sack crap TDs. Meanwhile, an as yet unnamed group based in the South East is planning to replace both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
The Irish People's Party, formed last year, has a pro-life, anti-Europe agenda (hopefully Our Lady is down with that). And speaking of the further reaches of the right, there are rumours that former Progressive Democrats leader and Tánaiste Michael McDowell is planning to form a new party of his own.
So, are you angry at the state of the nation? Out of work with too much time on your hands and already been to see Inception twice? Safety scissors, egg cartons and ruthless ambition at the ready, kids, here's everything you need to know about creating your own political party from scratch.
STEP 1: THE NUMBERS
You need at least 300 members over the age of 18 to register as a political party. So far, Direct Democracy Ireland has 60 and Fís Nua has 100. The standard, rather old-fashioned practice is to hold public meetings where people can sign up. You can skip this step if you have a current TD or MEP on board.
If the numbers aren't stacking up, don't be disheartened. Just use The Force. In 2001, a determined campaign saw 0.8% of English and Welsh people declare themselves 'Jedi' in the census, making it officially the fourth largest religion after Hinduism. If they can do it, so can you.
STEP 2: THE NAME
The 1992 Electoral Act sets out the rules. You can't register a party with a name or acronym that's so like the name of an existing party that it would "mislead, confuse or deceive." So, don't try and call yourself Fianna Fall and steal the votes of the semi-literate. Your name also can't be "unduly long" or likely to offend.
Think big. History shows that dramatic monikers which reveal absolutely nothing are by far the most successful in an Irish context. Remember, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – the Soldiers of Destiny and the Tribe of the Irish respectively – have many TDs. The Socialist Party has none.
NB: mastery of the tuiseal ginideach is crucial to electoral success. Something like Ríoltóirí na Cruinne (Rulers of the Universe) has the right ring to it.
STEP 3: THE EMBLEM
You'll need colouring pencils or felt-tip pens for this part. But remember that the same Electoral Act rules apply as for names. No offensive swastikas or crucifixes please.
STEP 4: THE MANIFESTO
There is no statutory requirement to have one of these. Chairman of Direct Democracy Ireland, Bernard Kenny, says "the right to call a referendum is the main singleness of purpose of the group at the moment." Asked whether his party will be left-wing or right wing, he says, "That's a good question. I wouldn't know."
Over at Fís Nua, a 29-point manifesto has been published. Wicklow Town Councillor Pat Kavanagh (an ex-Green) says the party has a "social justice and ecology agenda". Provisions in the manifesto include a cap on TDs' salaries at 2.5 times the average industrial wage, scrapping farm subsidies and decriminalising recreational drug use.
STEP 5: THE HEADQUARTERS
You need to register a HQ and the names of the office holders within the party who will sign the documents putting forward electoral candidates. It is better to operate from a real address. Or if you are Ivor Callely, two real addresses.
STEP 6: THE ELECTION
Right, once the election is called you need to move fast because you only have seven days from when the Dáil is dissolved to register your nominees. They have to be over 21 – why the fuck can't someone of 20 be a TD? – and, like your party, they can't have misleading or overly long names. So Ivir Lost Somewhere On The Road From Dublin To Cork Callelly might just be deemed ró fhada. You also can't run under a name that contains a political reference or that isn't the name you're commonly known by. As a Dáil candidate, you are entitled to send one election letter free of postage charges to each voter in your constituency.
STEP 7: WORLD DOMINATION
Who knows? Carla Bruni might yet be yours.