Mary Lou McDonald has said there was no pressure from inside Sinn Féin for her to step down as party leader in the aftermath of the general election last year.
"No, that never occurred. We had very frank, honest conversations among ourselves."
However, Ms McDonald said she was in her prime "and you know, where I have things to learn, I will always be open to that".
Speaking on RTÉ's Late Late Show, the Dublin Central TD said that Sinn Féin needs to assure people at the next election that it could form a new government and "have partners on that enterprise".
She said that collegiality with other political parties in Oppostion had been shown in the early days of this Government’s term, particularly in the row over Dáil speaking rights.
Ms McDonald ruled out a run to become the next president, saying that her work was to make sure there was a change in government and that there were changes in policy like in housing and in healthcare.
"You can't achieve those things from Áras an Uachtaráin," she said.
She added that Michael D Higgins had been a national treasure and was exemplary as President.
"I believe we're living in the end days of partition" @maryloumcdonald #latelate pic.twitter.com/jmvdkpzGSx
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) April 25, 2025
The Sinn Féin leader said it was no longer acceptable that Irish citizens living in the six counties of the North could not vote in the presidential election, and that whilst that would not change in this campaign, that needed to happen, in order to maximise the franchise.
She also said her party could run a candidate in the presidential election but could equally support a candidate from outside of the party.
Asked about a comment on X from the party's health spokesperson David Cullinane, endorsing the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a woman, Ms McDonald said that 140-character tweets on issues that were sensitive and complex did not serve well
She also said that Mr Cullinane had subsequently explained his position.
Ms McDonald said this was not an abstract issue for her, as her sister is trans.
"She's compassionate and clever and accomplished and she's loved beyond measure and unconditionally. I want her to live a full life, authentic life," she said.
Ms McDonald said any conversation on this issue needed to be started from a place of respect and that such issues could not be resolved in a hostile environment.
She said that the UK court decision needed to be studied in terms of its impact north of the border, adding that the rights of everybody needed to be respected and maintained.
