Mary Lou McDonald says she will work with other parties to set up left-wing opposition

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and vice president Michelle O'Neill with some of the party's 39 TDs on Merrion Square in Dublin on Wednesday. Picture: David Young/PA

Mary Lou McDonald has insisted that she will remain on as leader of Sinn Féin as the party seeks to establish a left-wing opposition bloc for the incoming Dáil term.

Ms McDonald has reached out to both the Social Democrats and Labour, saying that the three parties form a significant portion of the Dáil.