STEPPING UP
Roderic O’Gorman confirms he will run as next leader of Green Party after shock Eamon Ryan departure
The news of Eamon Ryan's impending departure was quickly followed by another shock announcement yesterday
RODERIC O'Gorman has confirmed that he will run to become the next leader of the Green Party.
The Minister for Children and Integration made the announcement after Eamon Ryan yesterday confirmed that he was stepping down from the role to "pass the torch" to a new generation of leaders.
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In a post on X, Mr O'Gorman wrote: "I'm announcing my candidacy for leadership of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas.
"I am running for leader, after 24 years of Green Party membership, to build a party that can win across this country, and deliver on our ambitions."
Mr O'Gorman is currently considered the frontrunner for the role but it is speculated that junior ministers Pippa Hackett, Joe O’Brien, and Ossian Smyth are also considering a leadership bid.
Ryan, who was first elected into the Dail in 2002, will remain as Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport until a new party leader is appointed.
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The Dublin TD informed his Cabinet colleagues and the Greens’ parliamentary party about his decision yesterday.
In a press conference outside Leinster House, Ryan said: "I'm here to announce that I intend stepping down as the leader of the Green Party, Comhaontas Glas, and that I will not be standing in the next general election.
"I've spent the last 30 years either running for or holding public office as a councillor, TD and government minister.
"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.
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"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.
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"Our policy will now elect a new leader to take the party forward from here and our own local group will now select a candidate to run in Dublin Bay South.
"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."
The surprise announcement yesterday was quickly followed by the news that deputy leader Catherine Martin would not throw her hat in the ring to replace Mr Ryan.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland will step down as deputy leader.
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."