Around 200 Green Party members have attended a leadership hustings this evening where the two candidates to succeed Eamon Ryan have set out their stall.
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman and Junior Minister at the Department of Agriculture Senator Pippa Hackett answered questions from delegates and expanded on their vision of what they would bring to the leadership position.
The voting for party leader will take place online for members from 4-7 July.
The results will be announced on Monday, 8 July.
Mr O’Gorman said that while the Green Party’s core vote held strong in the recent local and European elections, that result would lead to the loss of Dáil seats in the upcoming general election.
“I am not standing here to manage decline or to head back into the wilderness. I will not accept defeat.”
Ms Hackett said the party had to work at getting back the Green vote and rebuilding.
“We have to get better at showing the benefit of voting Green. It’s up to us to deliver policy that is relevant, easy and affordable for people and communities across the country.”
