Green Party TD Mary White is to seek re-election as deputy leader of the party, she has confirmed.
Ms White, who was elected to the Dáil for the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency in the general election, said today she believed a period of stability was needed in the party.
"At a time of tumultuous change for the party, from being a party of oppositionton to a party of Government, and with a leadership contest also in play, I believe that a period of stability and calm is needed in the party.
"If re-elected I believe I can offer a cool head and a warm heart to our party membership," Ms White said.
Ms White was appointed deputy leader of the Green Party in 2001.
Green Party chairman and TD and Minister for the Environment John Gormley indicated last weekend that he will seek the leadership of the party.
He said he believed he had the experience to lead the Greens through an important transition, from a party of opposition to a party of Government.
The Minister said that if elected to the leadership, he would do everything in his power to ensure the party membership was 'kept in the loop', particularly Green councillors.
Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, who opposed the Greens' deal to go into Government with Fianna Fáil, announced last week she is seeking nominations to allow her stand for the leadership.
Nominations close this Friday and hopefuls will have to secure the backing of at least 50 party members before they are allowed to stand. A postal ballot will then get underway on July 9 th, with all votes to be returned by July 17th.
Trevor Sargent continues as acting leader until the election of his successor. He stepped aside from the leadership after his party reached an agreement with Fianna Fáil on the formation of a government, in keeping with a promise he made before the election that he would resign rather than lead his party into government with the larger party.
Under party rules, the deputy leadership must also be decided by ballot as the leadership job has become vacant.