*Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan (GP). Photograph: John Mangan
CLARE Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) has announced her candidacy for the position of Deputy Leader of the Green Party.
Minister for Transport, Climate, Energy and Communications, Eamon Ryan (GP) last week stepped down as leader of the Greens prompting a leadership contest with Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman (GP) and Senator Pippa Hackett (GP) both throwing their names in the ring.
Media Minister, Catherine Martin (GP) who previously challenged Ryan for the leadership but failed to receive the backing of the majority of members is stepping back from her role as Deputy Leader resulting in another vote.
Inagh native, Garvey has come out in support of Senator Hackett and on Monday confirmed that she is running for the post of Deputy Leader. Roisin was nominated to the Seanad in May 2020.
Her appearance on RTÉ^’ s Prime Time last week when she clashed with Kerry TD, Michael Healy Rae (IND) has earned her plaudits. Indeed it was the subject of discussion on The Irish Times’ podcast Inside Politics when correspondent Harry McGee remarked that “she came out swinging” while political editor Pat Leahy commented, “she was like Brian Lohan”.
In a statement to The Clare Echo announcing her intention to contest for the role of Deputy Leader, Roisin said, “With the need for a new Deputy Leader of our party, I feel it is my time to stand up and go for the position. I am committed and passionate about the party and its ideals.” Garvey stated: “We all know that we have both a nature and a climate crisis, and I know our land and people will see more and more effects of these crises on them this summer and every year, both personally and financially. Just look at what happened in Midleton and the challenges to our food security as we are now seeing around our potato supplies”.
She added, “I believe we as a party have the knowledge and passion needed to help protect our people, nature, and our environment from these effects, but I am convinced I can help communicate this in a better and more effective way. I want to help make that happen”. Roisin continued, “I am running for Deputy Leader to ensure that our party continues to prioritize environmental protection and climate action. Together, we can work towards a sustainable future,” Garvey concluded.
Currently the Greens’ spokesperson on Rural Development, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Garvey is facing competition from Dublin Central TD, Neasa Hourigan (GP) who lost the party whip after voting against the Government on the eviction ban and Ossian Smyth (GP) the Minister of State for Environment, Climate and Communications, as well as Public Expenditure, he was one of the first Green members to declare his support for Senator Hackett.
Internal elections for the Greens will be held on Saturday July 13th.
