The Clare-based former deputy leader of the Green Party says she’s glad to have “smashed the glass ceiling for women in politics in North Clare” and hopes more women put themselves forward in the future.
Inagh native Róisín Garvey has resigned as deputy leader of the Green Party after fifteen months in the role.
The departure of the party’s former Rural and Community Development, the Gaeltacht and Gaeilge spokesperson from her role comes in the same week that former Green TD Brian Leddin announced his resignation from the party.
The former Limerick deputy announced his departure following its backing of Catherine Connolly in the presidential election.
Garvey reportedly informed party members of her decision to leave the party on Monday morning via email.
In an exclusive statement to Clare FM, the Inagh native has thanked those who supported her on her political path.
She says she’s “proud” of achievements such as “securing funding for Local Links all over rural Ireland, Active Travel projects like the Tulla Road cycle lane and Ennis Town Bus, the removal of the need for planning permission to put solar panels up on your own home, and free solar panels on schools”.
Speaking in relation to the political climate, she says “it’s important that despite the vitriol and divisionary politics” she sees “unfolding, that we remember that most people are good and kind and willing to help others”.
She goes on to say that “We must not lose sight of that in a world that looks more and more to divide society into an us and them” and that “We are all statespeople”.
It’s understood she’s left the role due to a new position she’s taken up.
Garvey was elected to Clare County Council for the Green Party in 2019.
After failing to be elected in the 2020 General Election, she entered the 26th Seanad as a result of a nomination from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and became her party’s leader in the Seanad in December 2022.
Roisín Garvey succeeded Catherine Martin as the party’s deputy leader in July 2024, but was unsuccessful in the 2024 General Election, coming sixth with 3,770 first preference votes.
Green Party Statement
The Green Party would like to pay tribute to Roisin Garvey as she steps down as our Deputy Leader.
She has been a powerful voice for rural Ireland within our party, which she has represented on both Clare County Council and in Seanad Eireann.
We wish Roisin all the best in whatever she does next.
The Green Party will hold an election to select a new Deputy Leader in the next number of months.
