Sinn Féin says it's "very well prepared" for the general election, as it hopes to lead a government that doesn't contain either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Housing is a huge priority for Mary Lou McDonald's party, which is highlighting the impact on people locked out of homes because of high rents.

With the general election campaign officially underway, Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly has said investment in housing is essential.

“Housing is having an impact on our competitiveness and on our economy,” she said.

“The American Chamber, Ibec, other representative groups have all said that failure to invest in housing and infrastructure is a potential threat to our competitiveness.

“So, now more than ever, we need to make sure that we put a government in place who understands what is needed and who understands how important it is for us to fix housing.”

Louise O'Reilly, an Irish Sinn Féin politician and a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dublin Fingal constituency, speaking to the media outside Leinster House in Dublin On Tuesday, 22 June 2021. Photo: Artur Widak/Alamy

The party has said it will talk to everybody about forming a government when the votes are counted in the general election.

It comes after Tánaiste Micheál Martin again ruled out a future coalition with them.

Ms O'Reilly says they wouldn't rule out talking to any other parties.

“We have an ambition to lead a government that doesn't contain either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael for the first time in 100 years,” she said.

“When the polls close and when the votes are counted, we will talk to everybody - because that is what grown-ups do.”

The 33rd Dáil was officially dissolved by the President yesterday, paving the way for the General Election to be held on November 29th.