Voting in Green Party leadership contest closes as Eamon Ryan expected to be re-elected for another term

Backers are expecting him to prevail by at least a two-to-one margin over his rival, deputy leader Catherine Martin. Both are serving in the new Cabinet.

The deadline for the receipt of ballots for the leadership contest was 5.30pm on Wednesday and a sluggish return of votes – only two-thirds of ballots were returned by lunchtime - is seen as signifying little appetite for a change of leader.

Despite a long lead-in, some 1,943 prepaid envelopes had been returned, representing a 66.22 per cent turnout, although the final percentage could rise slightly.

For the vote on the Programme for Government, ballots were issued to 1,991 members with 1,904 returned, with the majority sent back promptly for a turnout of over 90 per cent.

“The return rate will be lower on the leadership election,” a party spokeswoman admitted.

She said members were asked to register for the Programme for Government vote, whereas all eligible members were sent a ballot for the leadership.

“If it’s slow, it suggests there isn’t a headlong charge to get rid of Eamon,” said a party official.

Ms Martin is believed to have significant levels of support in Northern Ireland, which contributes 600 members to the nearly 3,000 members of the all-island party.

But the early indications are being read as highly favourable to Mr Ryan on all sides. Eligible voters are those members in good standing who have completed a six-month probationary period on joining the party.

At the time of issuing ballots there were 2,336 eligible members in the Republic of Ireland and 598 in Northern Ireland, practically a 4:1 ratio. Neither Mr Ryan nor Ms Martin have offered comment on the turnout, but one of her supporters admitted the portents were not good.

The count will take place on Thursday with the result expected to be announced at 7pm.

Counting will be overseen by independent auditors while observers from both of the candidates will also be present.

After the Greens voted to go into Government, Ms Martin said that there was a “missed opportunity” by her party to promote women within its ranks to ministerial positions.

Ms Martin was also critical that Green TDs who opposed the Programme for Government document were excluded from the Cabinet table.

She said that while the party “talks the talk” on promoting diversity and inclusivity, it is not backing that up with action.

Ms Martin previously said: “I guess as a female pilot politician and someone who set up the caucus, I would always seek to promote women in our party.

“But having said that, all Green Party ministers who are there are good for the job and I respect the decision there.

“That was the prerogative of Eamon as leader but I do feel that forever we have women who have proven that they are ready and very able, then we should always seek to promote because young girls cannot aim to be what they cannot see and we should always be seeking to do that to promote women.”

Mr Ryan, meanwhile, used the hustings as an opportunity to focus on his experienced in government and as the Minister for Climate Action.

He said he wanted to remain as party leader, adding that his experience at the helm is important.

While the leader attracted some criticism when he appeared to be sleeping during a vote in the Dail last week, it is not expected to impact the final vote.

National Co-ordinator Bláithín Gallagher, who chaired the hustings, will invite a three-minute concession speech from the runner up, followed by a five-minute speech from the victor once the results are announced on Thursday.

With additional reporting from PA