Candidates are expected to declare their intention to run in the Green Party leadership contest, following Eamon Ryan’s announcement yesterday that he will stand down.
The party’s executive council met last night to decide on the precise timing of the race.
Initial speculation on likely candidates includes Minister for Children and Integration Roderic O’Gorman, Minister of State Pippa Hackett and Minister of State Joe O’Brien.
The surprise announcement by Mr Ryan that he is to step down was matched by the equally surprising statement from deputy leader Catherine Martin, that she would not throw her hat in the ring to replace him.
That left media attention focused on those who sit at the Cabinet table.
Minister O’Brien told RTÉ’s Drivetime yesterday that he was “going over” the possibility of running.
Public declarations of firm intentions to stand, as well declarations of support for individual candidates, are expected to be announced from this morning.
Minister O’Gorman would currently be considered to be the frontrunner, should he choose to stand, given his position as a senior minister and long-standing Green Party member.
Green Senator Pauline O’Reilly said that she is backing Minister Hackett to be the next leader of her party.
Speaking on Virgin Media, Senator O’Reilly said it would counter the view that the Green Party is Dublin-based and does not understand rural Ireland.
All three previous leaders – Trevor Sargent, John Gormley and Eamon Ryan – have been TDs in Dublin constituencies.
Under the Green Party rules, any member who can command the support of 50 other members can contest the leadership race, so there is a chance that plenty more candidates may pursue a tilt at the top job.
