TD Paul Murphy said he does not see his new merged parliamentary group forming a government with Sinn Fein in the future.

His party, the Anti-Austerity Alliance, this week announced it would merge with People Before Profit to form a new group to contest the next election.

Speaking at the People Before Profit policy conference in Dublin today, Deputy Murphy said that he does not see Sinn Féin being able to form a truly left-wing government.

Murphy said that during his own campaign in the Dublin South-West By-Election last October, he highlighted the fact that Sinn Féin didn't adopt a hard enough line on the non-payment of water charges, which he says is the "key tactic" when it comes to opposing them:

Murphy also said that he would be interested in discussing with those in Sinn Féin who want an anti-austerity movement to develop.

He added that any left-wing government in Ireland would have to be 100% anti-austerity, commit to breaking with the logic of capitalism and be prepared to refuse to pay debts and take on EU institutions.

The details of the new merged party are expected to be released in the coming weeks.