Socialist TD for Dublin South-West Paul Murphy says the surge in Sinn Féin support is "an attempt to have radical change".

He said Sinn Féin are doing "extraordinarily well" - while admitting that this could see good transfers of surplus votes for him.

"I think that's likely and that was always part of our consideration here.

"When the momentum really developed in the campaign for change and Sinn Féin as the most obvious vehicle for that change - away from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael - we felt that they would have surplus and that we would do well from that".

Ivan Yates asked him if he would support a Sinn Féin government.

"The support for Sinn Féin from ordinary people is support from a very progressive direction in an attempt to have radical change and to break the cycle of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael rule.

"We're with ordinary people in that sentiment.

He also said it is "very important that Sinn Féin makes clear that it would not go into coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael - because I think to do so would be a betrayal of the hopes of those who want to use Sinn Féin precisely to break that cycle."

"If there is the possibility of a government excluding Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael... if I'm re-elected, I'll use my vote in Dáil to try and allow that to happen".