Dublin TD Catherine Martin has said she will give 'serious consideration' to contesting the upcoming Green Party leadership election.
A number of Green councillors have nominated the deputy leader to challenge Eamon Ryan's leadership.
The Greens have to hold a leadership contest within six months of a general election and nominations opened today.
A number of local councillors have nominated Deputy Martin, asking her to challenge Eamon Ryan's leadership.
South Dublin Cllr Peter Kavanagh - one of those who have put Deputy Martin's name forward - suggested "a contested leadership election is healthy for a democratic party".
Deputy Martin has thanked them and said she'll consider it in the coming days, but that the negotiations to form a government are her main focus.
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) May 20, 2020
She also said if there is a contest, it should happen only after government formation talks conclude.
She said: "I believe it is important that government formation talks fully conclude uninterrupted and that any leadership campaign happens subsequently.
"In the meantime I will continue to give my all to leading these negotiations while also listening to our membership about the future direction of our party and my role in it."
The current process would see nominations for the leadership close on June 7th - by which stage a government deal could be done.
Though it could mean that the Greens would be asked to vote on whether or not to enter government, without knowing who would lead them in that government.
A number of TDs - including Steven Matthews and Malcolm Noonan - have said they'll back Eamon Ryan, but some in the party believe it's time for a change at the top.
Over the weekend, Deputy Ryan said he does intend to run for the leadership again when a contest takes place.
