'Never say never': Catherine Martin not ruling herself out of going for Green Party leadership in future
Media Minister Catherine Martin has denied the ongoing RTÉ controversy has damaged her chances of becoming party leader at this time.
Media Minister Catherine Martin may have taken the decision to step down as deputy leader of the Green Party but she says "never say never" about taking up the role of leader down the line.
Ms Martin said she would not be endorsing Roderic O'Gorman or Pippa Hackett, who are in contention to step into the shoes of outgoing leader Eamon Ryan.
She said it would do a great disservice to the two candidates to imply she is biding her time until the next leadership election, which party rules state must happen within six months of a general election.
"I think never say never. I have made it clear that it's just at this point in time and I think it is really important for a woman in leadership never to rule themselves out," Ms Martin said at the launch of this year's Púca Festival, which will take place at Halloween.
After a disappointing result in the local and European elections, the party is looking ahead to the general elections whenever that may be. Ms Martin said both Mr Gorman and Ms Hackett are both ready, willing and able to lead the party into the next election and beyond.
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"Whoever takes on the leadership role now won't just be looking towards this general election but be looking beyond and I think they are well able to do that," she said, adding she was committing to supporting the next Green Party leader.
Although she was made aware of Mr Ryan's plans to step down a number of months ago, Ms Martin said she only came to her own decision on the deputy leadership in recent days.
The media minister denied the ongoing RTÉ controversy damaged her chances of becoming party leader at this time. Responding to last week's revelation by new RTÉ chairman Terence O'Rourke that the national broadcaster is currently negotiating an exit payment of up to €400,000, Ms Martin said as far as she is aware. no figure has been decided.
Having previously said she did not want to see such extraordinary figures being agreed when it comes to exit packages, Ms Martin said such payments should be a rare occurrence.
"What I would expect from RTÉ in this case, is that they will take all advice and recommendations from any independent mediation body that has been used but more importantly too, that RTÉ will get value and be seen to get value in this because, at the end of the day, they are publicly funded."
Ms Martin said should the circumstances arise that RTÉ "has to" agree such large payments, she would urge these situations be the exception rather than the norm, which is seems to have been in the past.
The minister said she remained focused on delivering on the TV licence reform and the future funding of RTÉ before the summer recess as promised.
Given the new party leader could choose to do a ministerial reshuffle once they take the helm, there is a chance Ms Martin will be removed from her role just before the recess.
If there is a reshuffle, Ms Martin does not feel it will interfere with the reforms or the timeline she has targeted.
"Both candidates know the importance of taking this decision," she said.
She said she hoped to remain in the position after the new leader is elected.
"At the end of the day, it does lie with whoever the new leader, is but I have communicated that I would like to remain," Ms Martin said.
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