Farmer from Mayo tipped to run for Green Party leadership

MAYO native Pippa Hackett is expected to run for the leadership of the Green Party. 

Senator Hackett, who is originally from Ballindine, is expected to run for the position following the announcement that party leader Eamon Ryan will step down and will not stand in the next general election.

One Green Party TD told The Mayo News today that Senator Hackett is likely to contest the leadership, saying that her announcement was ‘imminent’. 

She has already received the endorsement of Green Party Senator and recent European election candidate, Pauline O'Reilly. 

I believe we need a fresh injection of green passion and for me that is what Minister Pippa Hackett brings. She is a bundle of energy and intellect, and understands what it is like to listen to all voices and to stand up for a sustainable future @pippa_hackett https://t.co/Uar5h1siQo

— Senator Pauline O'Reilly (@paulinegalway) June 19, 2024

First elected to the Seanad's Agricultural Panel in March 2020, Senator Hackett was appointed Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

She currently lives on a farm in Offaly, with her husband Mark, who is the Green Party's sole representative on Offaly County Council. 

In her early years, she had a passion for horses and showjumping and was a regular performer at the Winter League at Hanley's School of Equitation in Claremorris. She is a past pupil of Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris.

Minister Roderic O'Gorman has emerged as the favourite to succeed Minister Ryan as Green Party leader after he announced his candidacy today. 

Michael O’Conaill, who ran for the Green Party in the recent Mayo County Council elections, paid tribute to Minister Ryan, who has led the party since 2011 when it had no Dáil seats. 

“Eamon took over when we were at a very low ebb; no TDs and three councillors. He built the party up to twelve TDs and five senators. He did that on a voluntary basis,” the Belmullet man told The Mayo News. 

“I think that’s an appropriate time for him”, said Mr O’Conaill, who received a phone call from the Dublin Bay South TD following the local elections. 

Defending his record as Minister for Transport, Mr O'Conaill said that Minister Ryan ‘achieved a lot’ in office.

“There are three buses leaving Belmullet now every day, which is great for older people. Nine buses leave Erris every day, and the cost of transport has been reduced by 20 percent.”