Catherine Martin has said she will not be seeking the Green Party leadership and will also step back as deputy leader.
In a statement, Minister Martin said she wants to focus on her ministerial portfolio and representing the people of Dublin-Rathdown.
The announcement from the Media Minister comes just hours after Eamon Ryan confirmed he is stepping down as Green Party leader.
Minister Ryan said he was leaving his role to “pass the torch to a new generation of leaders, confident in the strength and values I have seen built up in our party over all these years”.
He said he would not be standing for re-election to the Dáil.
'An honour and privilege'
Minister Catherine Martin paid tribute to Minister Ryan as "rightly regarded both in Ireland and well beyond as a trailblazing green leader".
"It has been an honour and privilege to work closely with him as deputy leader of the Green Party over the past 13 years, during which time we collaborated with our grassroots membership in rebuilding the party," she said.
"At this time my focus is my ministerial portfolio and representing the people of Dublin Rathdown, two great privileges."
Eamon Ryan with Catherine Martin at the Green Party conference in Dublin's RDS, 20-4-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ieMinister Martin said she would be stepping back from the party leadership.
"I am looking forward to delivering further real and critical change in my capacity as Minister," she said.
"At this point in time, I will not be putting myself forward for the leadership contest. I will also step back as deputy leader.
"I look forward to supporting the new leadership of the party. We are fortunate to have such an extremely talented party membership," she added.
Minister Ryan said he will remain in his role as party leader and minister until a new party leader is elected.
