Green Party leadership candidates expected to declare intentions today

Candidates hoping to become the next leader of the Green Party are expected to declare their intentions today.

Eamon Ryan announced he was stepping down on Tuesday, with deputy leader Catherine Martin confirming shortly afterwards that she would not be vying to replace him.

Among the names expected to enter the leadership contest are Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman, Minister of State Joe O'Brien and Senator Pippa Hackett.

Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly has said that she will support Ms Hackett in the leadership race as she was “the only one from outside Dublin.”

Speaking on Virgin Media on Wednesday morning, Senator O’Reilly said it was essential that there be a “rebalancing” of the party.

“Because I think what we have seen as people speak about the Green Party is that we don't understand what it's like to live outside Dublin and that's not correct, but we have to address that, really meet people's concerns where they are.”

The party is one of the three Government coalition partners, and suffered a poor performance at the local and European elections earlier this month, which saw the Greens lose both of their MEPs.

The decision comes amid speculation of a potential early election in the autumn.

Mr Ryan, who has led the party since 2011, said during a press conference on Tuesday that it was an “honour” to serve.

The 60-year-old will remain as Minister for Environment and Transport, and said he believes the current Government can “go the full term”.

Speaking outside Leinster House, he said: “I’ve spent the last 30 years either running for or holding public office.

“It’s been an absolute privilege, and I want to thank the electorate who voted for me on eight different occasions over those years, giving me the opportunity to serve our city and our country to the best of my ability.

“I’m stepping down to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders, confident in the strength and values I’ve seen built up in our party over all these years.

“I will continue as party leader and in my ministerial roles until a new leader is appointed, and look forward to fulfilling whatever role a new leader assigns me for the remaining terms of this Government.”

In a statement, Ms Martin said: “At this point in time, I will not be putting myself forward for the leadership contest.

“I will also step back as deputy leader. I look forward to supporting the new leadership of the party.

“We are fortunate to have such an extremely talented party membership.”

The Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan and Ciarán Cuffe missed out on a return to Brussels in the recent European election, and the party lost half its seats on local councils.

Government coalition parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had positive elections, while the results of main opposition party Sinn Féin fell below expectations.

The results fuelled speculation that the Government may look to call a general election earlier than the current projected timeline of spring 2025.

Mr Ryan is the second Coalition leader to resign this year.

In April, Leo Varadkar stepped down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael.

His announcement came after a turbulent number of weeks for the Coalition Government.