The Social Democrats are different, says Holly Cairns - but how?

The party leader talks leadership, policy and politics

Listen | 49:13

Under the leadership of Holly Cairns, the Cork South-West TD who took over from Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall in March, the Social Democrats are riding high among the smaller political parties in Dáil Éireann - according to opinion polls at least.

But what is the party all about? How is it different from Sinn Féin, the biggest party on the left? And if the Soc Dems were to combine with other political parties in a coalition of compromise after the next election, where would its policy red lines be?

Holly Cairns sat down with Hugh Linehan and Pat Leahy to discuss leadership, politics and policy. But first, they talk about the latest revelations in the crisis at RTÉ over secret payments to Ryan Tubridy and the future of the national public service broadcaster.