John Gormley, the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government has been elected as the new leader of the Green Party.
He was elected with 478 votes, or 65 per cent support compared to the 263 votes for former MEP Patricia McKenna. There were 34 spoiled ballots. Mary White was re-elected as deputy leader unanimously last week.
Mr Gormley replaces junior agriculture minister Trevor Sargent, who brokered June's coalition deal with Fianna Fail but had pledged during May's general election to step down if his party joined an Ahern-led Government. Mr Sargent duly stepped down as his party entered the coalition.
Speaking after the result this evening Minister Gormley said: "I am very honoured and pleased to have been elected as Party Leader. I would not be in this position this evening had it not been for the courageous decision of Trevor Sargent to step down. Trevor has been a Leader of vision, commitment and, above all else, total integrity. It will be very difficult to fill his shoes."
Minister Gormley went on to say he would continue Mr Sargent's "consensual and collegiate leadership".
He said the decision to enter Government had been difficult for the party but it was taken "quite simply, we don't have the luxury of time on our side when it comes to climate change." He also paid tribute to Ms McKenna.