The Green Party leader has said he believes his party could win as many 15 seats in the general election.

Eamon Ryan joined Ivan Yates in studio for an in-depth interview today ahead of next month's vote.

A Business Post/Red C poll published over the weekend suggested Green Party support is at 8%.

The telephone poll of 1,000 voters was conducted between January 16th and 22nd.

Mr Ryan - whose party had three TDs when the Dáil was dissolved earlier this month - today said he's confident his party will perform well on February 8th.

Speaking on the Hard Shoulder, he observed: "I was saying all along we'd want to get at least six [TDs].

"I think we've been getting a very good response, [and] we now have a chance go into double figures - it could be as large as 15."

He reiterated his stance that the party would consider working with any party to form a coalition after the election.

However, he refused to be drawn on whether he would want any particular ministerial position in a new government.

Mr Ryan argued: "I don't think ten days before an election that anyone should be saying 'oh I'm going to have this job or that job'... your first job is to get the votes of the people to support the programme that you're setting out.

"First and foremost, people have to vote."

He added: "We are actually working very closely - and have in the last Dáil - with all parties... parties on the left, parties on the right and the independents.

"Our key goal is to make this leap in the climate challenge and biodiversity crisis that is ahead of us."

"I will work with all"

Mr Ryan pointed to the "divisiveness" of the American, Australian and British political systems, arguing that their systems can make it hard to get things done.

The Green leader said: "I will work with all... Who knows what the people are going to do in this election, it's very unclear... We will work with all parties.

"I think particularly at this time, particularly in the configuration of Irish politics... I find we can work with all sides, and I'd prefer to keep doing that."

Elsewhere, Mr Ryan said his party stuck together during their time in government with Fianna Fáil.

He observed: "We stayed collectively together as a parliamentary party

"We took every decision together, and we left united. OK, we lost all our seats... but that was not our core goal. The goal was to do what we think is right for the country.

"Particularly if you're in the Dáil and the Seanad, you work as a team. You have to make consensus, collective decisions and that give you strength.

"We have a tradition of that in the party, and I will uphold it."