The Green Party has changed its rules so that it may elect a party leader, writes Alison O'Connor.
At a special meeting in Dublin over the weekend, members voted by a large majority, according to a party statement, to amend its constitution to allow for the election of a party leader. It is likely, it said, that a new leader will be elected before the end of June, ahead of the Dail recess for the summer.
Mr John Gormley TD said he would not be putting his name forward but would be supporting his Dail colleague Mr Trevor Sargent. "This represents a historic moment in the history of the Irish Green Party. It is a change which I have argued for some time and which has the overwhelming support of party members and supporters," said Mr Gormley.