Smyth backs Pippa Hackett as ‘ideal candidate’ for Green Party leadership

Former Green Party councillor Hazel Smyth is endorsing senator and super junior minister Pippa Hackett as the "ideal candidate" in the party’s upcoming leadership contest.

Integration minister Roderic O’Gorman is also in contention, and the winner will be decided in a vote from by members on July 8.

Last week, Eamon Ryan resigned as Green Party leader, a post he held for 11 years, citing family commitments and a wish to "pass the torch to a new generation" .

It followed disappointing local and European elections for the party, where they lost 26 and two seats, respectively.

Ms Smyth is backing Pippa Hackett, who is from Offaly, to lead the party.

"I would love to see Pippa become leader; she is the ideal candidate as far as I’m concerned, and we need a strong, rural, female voice in the Green Party," she said.

"She is highly educated, highly intelligent, extremely hardworking, and, in my eyes, a true green.

"She has a good vision for the Green Party and really wants to see us protect the environment and build a better Ireland for everyone."

The former councillor noted that the party leadership has been dominated by males "for too long".

"It’s always been males, so I do think having a female leader would offer a different perspective," she said.

"But most importantly, I think there’s been a lot of anti-rural rhetoric from many opposition parties, so we need someone from beyond the pale in that role now, which we’ve never had."

"I think it would be great to show that as Greens, we do understand rural Ireland and want to see rural communities flourish, without leaving anyone behind."

Ms Smyth also praised the outgoing party leader, describing him as "such a decent person".

"He is the type who will take the time to call and check in; he remembers things about your family and cares about how everyone is," she said.

"I personally feel bad about it because he was one of the people I really respected, and he has vast knowledge of complex environmental principles across a wide range of issues, such as energy and transport.

"I also felt he steadied the ship in politics and avoided the name-calling and antics of some other politicians."

Ms Smyth highlighted the introduction of more bus routes in her hometown of Killucan and the creation of a new playground as examples of tangible local improvements achieved under minister Ryan’s leadership.