Dublin South-West TD Paul Murphy has left the Socialist Party.

Mr Murphy says he made the decision after "extensive debate" within the party.

"A number of members including me decided to leave and launch a new group", he adds.

"When we decided to leave, the party accepted that and we all aim to have an amicable and cooperative relationship in the future in the interests of working class people.

"I will continue as a member of Solidarity-People Before Profit and all six TDs in Solidarity-PBP will continue to work together closely in Dáil Éireann and in building and assisting struggles in workplaces and communities."

The new group will launch on Monday September 30th.

The Socialist Party contested the last election under the name Solidarity-People Before Profit.

It had three TDs elected in 2016: Paul Murphy, Mick Barry and Ruth Coppinger.

Deputy Murphy is a TD for Dublin South-West, having been first elected in a by-election in 2014 and re-elected in 2016.

He told The Irish Times the two groups would continue to work together.

It is understood his new group will still be involved with the broader Solidarity-People Before Profit Alliance, but will no longer be part of Solidarity.

"Our side of the party would have placed more emphasis on engaging in broader movements and participating in coalitions with others.

"[That includes] working with people who are not socialist but agree on important movements in the here and now," he says.