Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said "that is the nature of politics" in response to questions over how the unofficial opposition party partnership will cope with two upcoming by-elections where each party runs a candidate.
Speaking on the first evening of her party's two-day national conference at the Silversprings Hotel in Cork City, Ms Cairns also said the Social Democrats will "talk to all parties after the election", including Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Among the topics likely to be focused on this weekend are the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections to replace President Catherine Connolly and Paschal Donohoe, which are due to take place in May.
The Social Democrats are running Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich in Galway West and Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central.
However, a number of other parties are also due to run candidates, including those from the left-leaning opposition, which has over the past year worked closely with each other, including during the Connolly presidential campaign.
Asked at a press conference how this opposition arrangement will work in two by-elections which are expected to be hotly contested, Ms Cairns said "that is the nature of politics".
"We know there isn't going to be a single party government in any near future and while we have more in common with parties of the left, we are very much our own party, that’s why the Social Democrats exist," she said.
Asked if her party is focused on potentially entering government in the future based solely on left-leaning opposition parties, or whether it will speak with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as well as Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats leader added: "We will talk to all parties after the election and we’ve always been clear about that.
"It’s not about personalities, it’s not about political parties, it’s about having our policies delivered."
Ms Cairns also said when asked about party TD Eoin Hayes, who was suspended almost exactly a year ago over the Palantir shares controversy but has since been re-admitted, and what has been learned in that time, that every party has to respond to difficult moments.
Ms Cairns separately told reporters she believes the Occupied Territories Bill is now "gathering dust somewhere in Government Buildings", and criticised the ten-year delay in the building of Cork's national convention centre, saying almost all of the politicians who launched the plan have now retired.
This weekend's national conference is the seventh held by the party since it was founded just over a decade ago, with the focus this year likely to be on housing, cost of living, Gaza and other matters.
This evening's speeches included an opening address from the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid and a welcome speech from Ms Cairns.
Full coverage of the Social Democrats' national conference will take place across all RTÉ platforms this evening and throughout tomorrow.
Party leader Holly Cairns address will be broadcast live on RTÉ One television at 6.30pm and on the RTÉ News Channel.
