Joe O'Brien considering Green leadership bid as TDs rule out replacing Eamon Ryan

Junior minister Joe O'Brien (right) did not rule out a tilt at the Green Party leadership however, Cathering Martin has ruled out replacing Eamon Ryan.

Media Minister Catherine Martin has ruled herself out of running for the Green Party leadership and will step down as deputy leader of the party.

In a post on Instagram paying tribute to Eamon Ryan, Ms Martin said that her current focus is on her ministerial portfolio.

“At this point in time, I will not be putting myself forward for the Leadership contest. I will also step back as Deputy Leader,” Ms Martin said.

“I look forward to supporting the new leadership of the party. We are fortunate to have such an extremely talented party membership.” 

Ms Martin’s comments come just hours after Mr Ryan announced that he would be standing down as leader of the Green Party after 13 years.

While she ruled out running for the leadership, Ms Martin confirmed that she would be contesting the next general election in her constituency of Dublin Rathdown.

“At a time of great uncertainty in the world, and with the growing impacts of the climate and biodiversity emergency, we need the creative solutions that come from working together - more than ever,” Ms Martin added.

A number of other Green Party TDs have ruled themselves out of replacing Mr Ryan as the party leader.

Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan told RTÉ's News at One that he would not seek the leadership, saying that he wanted to continue to prioritise his own biodiversity portfolio.

Dublin Central TD Neasa Hourigan has also ruled herself out of the running for the Green Party leadership, saying that she feels the next leader needs to be a member of the Cabinet.

However, junior minister Joe O'Brien did not rule out a tilt at the leadership, telling RTÉ's Drivetime: "I'm going over on it".