Shane Ross has denied that the Independent Alliance exists just to get him into cabinet.

The Independent TD says the alliance is designed only to make sure that the next government abides by certain political principles.

The comments come in an exclusive interview with Today FM, the first in our 'Headliners' series examining the new political parties and groups contesting their first general election in 2016.

In the interview Deputy Ross says there are many ways of influencing a government - and him being in cabinet is only one of them.

He also says allowing Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to share power would be "absolutely scandalous".

The Dublin Rathdown TD says the two parties have many similarities - including their wishes to give high-ranking jobs to party supporters.

You can listen to Gavan Reilly's full interview with Shane Ross here: