Minister for the Environment John Gormley was last night elected leader of the Green Party by a two-thirds majority after a stronger-than-expected challenge from former MEP Patricia McKenna.
Mr Gormley received 478 votes, or 65 per cent, of the ballot compared to the 263 votes, or 35 per cent, of the ballot secured by Ms McKenna, who said even she was surprised at her strong showing.
The new leader said immediately after his election that the strength of support for Ms McKenna, who had strongly opposed going into government with Fianna Fáil, was not a sign of growing dissension in the party and insisted the vote was on the leadership of the party and not on going into coalition.
More than 13 per cent of the party membership voted against going into government in the Mansion House last month.
"I knew it was going to be tough. I have been saying that all week. Patricia McKenna was a high-calibre candidate with a strong record in the party who served two terms as an MEP."
While stressing she would support Mr Gormley in his leadership, Ms Kenna said the fact she got one-third of the vote indicated "a body of feeling within the Green Party that would share my concerns about the need to ensure that we remain a vibrant, independent party with our own policies and ideals".
She said grassroots members must continue to have a major input into the party's decision-making structures.
Mr Gormley replaces Minister of State Trevor Sargent, who pledged during the general election campaign to step down if his party joined a Fianna Fáil-led government.
After the result, Mr Gormley said entering government was a big decision and he understood the fears of some members. He added that he now felt more than ever it was the right decision.
He pledged to put climate change at the top of the Green Party agenda. "We don't have the luxury of time and we had to get into government to make changes and that is what it is all about," he said.
He wanted to give the party membership "ownership" of the project of going into government and promised to enhance the role of the national council and of councillors "who are the backbone" of the party.
"I look forward to building the party and in the next few weeks want to get people around the table to work out a strategy."
Mr Gormley paid tribute to Mr Sargent, saying he would not be in this position had it not been for his "courageous" decision to step down.
Asked if he had concerns relating to the Taoiseach's finances, Mr Gormley said he would wait for the outcome of the tribunal and said as Minister for the Environment it would be inappropriate for him to comment further.
Mary White, the newly elected TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, was re-elected unopposed as deputy leader.