Interim leader role does not interest O'Gorman

Green Party members will choose new leader on July 8

Roderic O'Gorman has insisted he is running to be leader of the Green Party and not the interim leader.

Roderic O'Gorman has insisted he is running to be leader of the Green Party and not the interim leader.

Outgoing deputy leader Catherine Martin told reporters "never say never" in terms of her running for party leader at some point but Mr O'Gorman said he has no intention of holding the position on a temporary basis.

He said that should he be chosen by Green Party members on July 8, he hopes to prove himself as the leader that will bring the party out of this period of government, into the next general election and face whatever comes after. 

On whether he would reshuffle ministers if he wins the leadership race, he said it would be presumptuous of him to plan such things and would not be drawn on the issue.

Mr O'Gorman was responsible for the referendums which were both rejected in March. That came as a blow to the government and led to some calling for his resignation. He has said that the double defeat does not mean he is not in a position to lead a government party.

"I and others made the case why these changes were necessary, and the people disagreed. You accept the will of the people and you move on," the minister for integration said. Mr O'Gorman said he does not accept the suggestion that the public were not given enough or the correct information ahead of the vote.

When it comes to the Green Party's perceived problem appealing to people outside of Dublin, Mr O'Gorman said it would be very simplistic to believe that electing a leader from rural Ireland would be enough to win over those members of the public.

"I think we need to demonstrate to the public that we are - as well as dealing with complex key issues such as climate - we are bringing forward policies on the issues that are having the most day-to-day impact on people across the country," he said.