Social Democrats hope for seven seats in next General Election

The Social Democrats are targeting at least seven seats in the general election and are open to entering government with any rival party — provided it is not simply offered “crumbs from the table”.

Joint leader Catherine Murphy outlined the election battle plan as she claimed the way in which the current political system is designed “is an impediment to building new political entities” and is damaging democracy.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, the long-standing Kildare North TD said while she has no definitive seat figure in mind, the ideal would be “to go beyond seven seats” to gain Dáil speaking rights for the party instead of relying on the tighter technical group spaces.