Green Party leadership result due today after last votes cast

VOTING in the Green Party leadership contest closed yesterday, and members will find out who has won today.

Party members have been voting for either current leader Eamon Ryan, who has held the role since May 2011, and Catherine Martin, who has been deputy leader of the party since June 2011.

The deadline for the receipt of ballots for the leadership contest was 5.30pm yesterday. Ballots were issued to 2,336 Green Party members in the Republic, and to 598 members in the North.

Almost 2,000 Green Party members had voted in the leadership contest by lunchtime yesterday.

The count will take place today, with the result set to be announced at 7pm.

Independent auditors will oversee the counting, while observers from both of the candidates will also be present.

Both candidates have been setting out their stalls in recent weeks in a bid to secure the leadership role.

Mr Ryan’s hopes have been dented in recent weeks by a number of gaffes, including him falling asleep during a Dáil vote on employment law, and him using the N-word in the chamber while denouncing racism.

Ms Martin told a previous hustings that she wanted to become leader to help the party achieve its goals in Government, adding that experience was not a ‘prerequisite’ to becoming a leader.

After the Greens voted to go into Government, Ms Martin said there was a ‘missed opportunity’ by her party to promote women within its ranks to ministerial positions. She also expressed displeasure that Green TDs who opposed the Programme for Government deal were excluded from the Cabinet table.

She said that while the party ‘talks the talk’ on promoting diversity and inclusivity, it isn’t backing it up with action.

Mr Ryan used the hustings as an opportunity to focus on his experience in government and as the Minister for Climate Action. He said he wanted to remain as party leader, adding that his experience at the helm is important.