Nobody in the Social Democrats supports closer ties with the Labour Party, a co-founder of the party has said.
Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy have both said they will not contest the next general election.
The Soc Dems co-founders announced their decision to allow a new generation to come forward in the party.
There have been calls for the party to merge with or move closer to Labour amid concerns the current situation is dividing the vote on the left.
Deputy Shortall told The Hard Shoulder there is no appetite for such a move.
"I don't think anybody within the Social Democrats would think that that was a good idea," she said.
"When we set up the party we did so to give people choice and we wanted to create a genuine social democratic party.
"We set out to do that and we've always been of the view that there should be choice.
"In the early days when I got involved in politics we were very much dominated by the two and a half party system.
"We wanted to move away from that and the country has done that largely - for the foreseeable future we'll certainly be having coalition governments and that's a good thing".
Deputy Shortall said there was "no question" except concentrating on developing the Social Democrats.
'A very good local election'
Deputy Catherine Murphy told the show why she decided to step down.
"I think we've got decades of experience behind us and there's a point where it's a good time to go," she said.
"We've had a very good local election; we have six TDs and 35 Councillors.
"I think we're leaving the party in very good shape and hopefully to improve into the future."
Deputy Shortall thanked the electorate for their support.
"I've been a TD since 1992 and that's 32 years ago," she said.
"At this stage I think it probably is a good time for me to step down.
"I very much appreciate the opportunity that I was given by the electorate, I've enjoyed every moment of it I have to say," she added.
In January, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it is "frustrating" being asked about a merger with the Soc Dems.
