Aontu leader Peadar Tóibín has said his party is a grassroots people-powered organisation and is going to target three to four seats in the election to try and be part of the next government.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said in the year since Aontú has been set up they have six elected representatives across the country "from Wexford to Derry".
He said they are willing to be part of the government as, in his view, there is no point being in opposition.
"I come from a Sinn Féin background where the culture was maximalist opposition. My instinct is there are so many critical issues affecting people it would be morally wrong not to try make a difference within government."
He said there is a "political cartel" that has run this country and he is asking people to think outside this.
However, he said at this time he is not saying what his party would do "in the event of a government".
Mr Tóibín said a focus of their election campaign will also be ensuring that all mothers "have the economic confidence to raise their child with full potential" and not feel abortion is the only option.
He said while he knows the decision on abortion being legalised cannot be reversed, he believes "there are issues that can be changed within the law in the future."
