Laois Offaly Green Pippa Hackett gave leadership race her 'best shot'

Minster of State Pippa Hackett with new party leader Roderic O'Gorman

placeholder image — Minster of State Pippa Hackett with new party leader Roderic O'Gorman

Minister Hackett secured nearly half of the votes

The Green Party will not have a Laois Offaly leader to steer the party through what could by very choppy waters of the upcoming General Election in rural Ireland after Minister Pippa Hackett lost out in the race to replace Eamon Ryan as leader.

The Geashill-based super junior Minister polled well in the leadership election won by Minister Roderic O'Gorman.

Minister Hackett polled an impressive 48% of the votes in which all Green Party members had a vote.

The Department of Agriculture minister commented after an election in whch she campaigned on building up the Green Party's base in counties like Laois and Offaly.

“Well, I gave it a good shot! I want to thank sincerely every Green Party member who voted for me, as well as the amazing team of people who helped me during the leadership campaign. I’m humbled by the many messages of support I have received over the past few weeks from people inside and outside the Party. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Minister Pippa Hackett with outgoing Green leader Eamon Ryan and Ballinakill resident and Laois County Council candidate in the local elections Rosie Palmer

"I want to wish Roderic and his leadership team the very best, and I look forward to working alongside him for the remainder of this term in Government and into the future, as we get on with the vital work of delivering a fairer society that places the protection of our natural world at the heart of everything we do,” said the senator.

The new leader, who won wth 984votes, thanked voters and Minister Hackett.

“I am honoured to have been elected as Leader of the Green Party. I want to thank members for their support and for their participation in this election, and thank Pippa for bringing key issues to the fore. We are absolutely the stronger for having had this election. I know she cares as deeply about the Party as I do, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with her," he said.

Minister O’Gorman sits at cabinet as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. He becomes the fourth leader of the Green Party.

Minister Hackett contested the last General Election in the Laois Offaly constituency but did not win a seat. She is likely to contest the upcoming General Election in the newly formed Offaly three seat constituency.