Ossian Smyth pulls out of Green Party deputy leader race, saying ‘it is best the deputy leader is female’

It came after Minister Roderic O’Gorman earlier today took over as leader of the Green Party.

The Green Party leadership contest was triggered after Eamon Ryan announced he was standing down after 13 years at the helm, and would not be contesting the next general election. Mr Ryan made the announcement after the Green Party lost both its MEPs and half its council seats in the European and local elections. This was after its coalition partners, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, remained the largest parties in local government. Mr O’Gorman, the Minister for Children and Integration, and Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett both put their names forward to succeed Mr Ryan. At a press event in Bewley’s Cafe in Dublin city, it was announced that Mr O’Gorman had won 52pc of the votes of 1,896 Green Party members who cast their votes between July 4-7. He won 72 more votes than Ms Hackett.

The party’s membership has not yet cast their vote for the next deputy leader of the party.

Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan and Senator Roisin Garvey are now seeking election to the role after Mr Smyth pulled out of the contest.

The Dún Laoghaire TD said: “I want to wish Roderic the very best as he starts into his new leadership of the party. Given that our new leader is male, I think that it is best that the deputy leader is female. My stepping away from the contest at this stage will ensure this.”

The Minister of State will continue to work across two departments with responsibility for the circular economy and the national broadband plan at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and green procurement at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

The party will hold an election for deputy leader next Saturday.

The party now has a job of work to do to convince the electorate they have what it takes — after the party lost both its MEP seats in the European elections last month.

New party leader Minister O’Gorman today thanked members for their “support and for their participation in this election”, he also thanked Ms Hackett for “bringing key issues to the fore”.

“I am honoured to have been elected as Leader of the Green Party. We are absolutely the stronger for having had this election. I know she [Ms Hackett] cares as deeply about the Party as I do, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with her,” he said.

“Over the last four years, the Green Party has done exactly what we said we would – we have delivered.

“On ambitions in climate and the environment, protecting nature, in supporting children and families, backing the arts and culture. We can be proud of our party’s record for people in all parts of Ireland.

“We now need to demonstrate to everyone that Green Party policies are focused on the challenges of today every bit as much as those of tomorrow. Our solutions – on climate, transport, housing, support for families – benefit everyone on this island. That job starts today.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Congratulations to Roderic O’Gorman on his election as leader of the Green Party. Leading your party is a great honour and privilege. I look forward to working with you. There is much to do. A word of thanks too to Eamon Ryan for his leadership.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: “Congratulations Roderic O’Gorman on being elected leader of the Green Party. Wishing you well in the new role. I look forward to working with you on the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this government.”

Speaking on RTE’s News at One, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said it will be his job to lead a process of unity after the leadership report and deliver his first priority, the remaining part of the ‘Programme for Government’.

“We want to see things like marine protected areas legislated for, hate crimes legislation, the delivery of a Budget that places investment in key public services.

“Secondly, preparing our party for a general election we know is coming in the next eight months,” Mr O’Gorman added.

He stressed that the party is conscious it lost some local support in parts of the country, adding: “we have a job of work to do to build back that support.”

Mr O’Gorman said that the support will be built back by the electorate “seeing that we have meaningful policies that will have an impact on their lives”.

“I know too often when I go to the doors that people see that their Green Party candidate is too focused on 2050 and long-term climate goals.

“We are focused on those but we also have the policy that will make a meaningful impact on people’s daily lives,” he said.

He added that he has delivered those policies in his own department – namely cutting the cost of childcare, introducing new parental leaves and domestic violence victim’s paid leave.

“We have to make people understand that that is the goal of the Green Party when we put ourselves forward for election,” he said.

On how he will lead the party differently to Eamon Ryan, he said showing people what the State can help them with in terms of what they can do with their own lives.

He referenced reducing carbon emission as well as outside of the environment, offering meaningful social policies that “make a big difference” for families.

On if there will be changes in Cabinet, he said “we have really important Cabinet ministers… I don’t see the need to change the make-up of our team”.

On how many of the 12 general election seats the party will hold, Mr O’Gorman said he expects to hold all 12 seats and “grow our seats even further”.

Speaking on his own seat, he said: “I am always active in my own constituency, I will be running on the basis of my delivery for the constituency.”

On if his new party leadership makes him safe, he said: “We will have to see.”

Senator Pippa Hackett said she is “humbled by the many messages of support” she has received over the past few weeks “from people inside and outside the Party”.

“Well, I gave it a good shot! I want to thank sincerely every Green Party member who voted for me, as well as the amazing team of people who helped me during the leadership campaign,” she said.

“I want to wish Roderic and his leadership team the very best, and I look forward to working alongside him for the remainder of this term in Government and into the future, as we get on with the vital work of delivering a fairer society that places the protection of our natural world at the heart of everything we do.”

The result was announced by returning officer Stephen Spillane after an entirely online vote to save paper.

Outgoing leader and deputy leader Mr Ryan and Ms Martin were at the leadership announcement.

National coordinator Christina Kiely said everyone had an opportunity to shape the party and its leadership — “one member, one vote.”

There was applause and a standing ovation from members as thanks were expressed to outgoing leader Mr Ryan, who has been at the helm for over 12 years.

Mr Ryan expressed thanks to Ms Martin for her role as deputy leader, saying he felt like the father at a wedding.

He said the Greens should be “so proud” of its record in Government, helping to deliver Budgets that protect the most vulnerable.

Minister O’Gorman becomes the fourth leader of the Green Party. Founded over 40 years ago, it was not until 2001 when the party chose TD for Dublin North Trevor Sargent as its first leader.

In the 23 years since, the Party has seen only two other leaders – John Gormley and Mr Ryan.