Holly Cairns says Social Democrats will not 'just make up the numbers' in Government 

Ms Cairns said the last week has been “a bit of a whirlwind” but she feels “very excited and a bit nervous” at the prospect of taking up the leadership of the Soc Dems , founded in 2015. Picture: Moya Nolan

The Social Democrats will speak to all parties about forming a Government after the next general election, but new leader Holly Cairns says they will not “just make up the numbers”.

Ms Cairns will take her first Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, hours after she is confirmed as leader of the party.