Garvey sees off Hourigan to become Green deputy leader

Senator Róisín Garvey is the new deputy leader of the Green Party following a vote by party members.

Ms Garvey, a Co Clare-based senator, saw off Dublin Central TD Neasa Hourigan to take up the role.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth withdrew from the contest earlier this week.

There were 917 party members registered to vote and 653 votes were cast. Ms Garvey received 333 votes, compared to 320 for Ms Hourigan.

Ms Garvey replaces Minister for Media Catherine Martin, who served as deputy leader for the past 13 years.

It completes an overhaul of the Green leadership after Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman was voted as party leader following Eamon Ryan’s decision to step down from the role.

Ms Garvey is from west Clare and became a Senator in 2020 as a nominee by the Taoiseach.

She was first elected to Clare County Council in 2019.

In a statement, the Green Party said she “brings a strong, rural, social justice and climate representation from someone with a lot of experience, as well as a rural female voice from west of the Shannon”.