Minister Roderic O'Gorman and Senator Pippa Hackett are both in the race to become the next leader of the Green Party.
Senator Hackett, who is Minister of State with Responsibility for Forestry, said that the results of the local and European election sparked her interest in running for party leadership.
Speaking on RTÉ's Drivetime she said that the party needs a "fresh start and a reboot".
Ms Hackett said she can provide a different perspective that can "make the party relevant and relatable outside of Dublin, as well as inside".
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One, she described herself as an "unconventional green" being a beef and sheep farmer from Offaly.
After three Dublin based leaders in the last decade, it is time for a female leader, she said.
The growth of the Green Party requires green policies to be relatable to everyone in the country, she added.
Earlier, Minister O'Gorman announced that he is running to become the new Green Party leader.
In a post on X, he wrote: "I'm announcing my candidacy for leadership of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas.
"I am running for leader, after 24 years of Green Party membership, to build a party that can win across this country, and deliver on our ambitions."
The Green Party will announce its new leader on 8 July.
Nominations for the leadership contest can be submitted from 9am tomorrow until 9pm on Monday.
The name or names of those seeking to become leader will be made public next Tuesday.
Can the Green Party fix its rural reputation problem?
Ministers Malcolm Noonan and Joe O'Brien are among those who have come out in support of Mr O'Gorman.
Minister of State Joe O'Brien, who was expected to also stand, has ruled himself out of the leadership contest.
He said the party needs a reset and he believed Mr O'Gorman is the right person to do that.
Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh said he will be supporting Minister O'Gorman, adding that he has a "lifetime of experience, knows the party root and branch, and can tie together two founding principles of our party - facing the environmental crisis while respecting social justice".
Green Party TD for Dublin South Central Patrick Costello has also said he will back Mr O'Gorman, saying the party needs someone with experience as "we face into a tough election".
Minister Hackett has received three endorsements to replace Eamon Ryan as leader.
Minister of State Ossian Smyth and Senator Pauline O'Reilly have argued Ms Hackett would counter the view that the Green Party is anti-rural Ireland.
Green Party TD for Limerick Brian Leddin said he will back Minister Hackett should she choose to stand for the leadership.
He said it was time for a leader who is not Dublin-based, adding she was brilliant in her ministerial brief.
The surprise announcement yesterday by Mr Ryan that he is to step down was matched by the equally surprising statement from deputy leader Catherine Martin, that she would not throw her hat in the ring to replace him.
Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement Ossian Smyth ruled himself out of entering the leadership contest, throwing his support behind Minister Hackett, who is a Senator, but sits at Cabinet.
Minister Ossian Smyth backing Pippa Hackett as the next leader of the Green Party and hopes to run as her deputy | Read more: https://t.co/UxReIUOYK8 pic.twitter.com/21hA1aQUDj
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 19, 2024
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Smyth pointed out that the last three leaders of the Green Party have been from Dublin.
"If she is willing to run, I would like to run alongside her as deputy leader," Mr Smyth said.
He said Minister Hackett, who is a senator, is a beef and sheep farmer from Co Offaly and would ensure that the party is clearly relevant outside of Dublin.
All three previous leaders - Trevor Sargent, John Gormley and Eamon Ryan - have been TDs in Dublin constituencies.
Green Senator Pauline O'Reilly also said that she is backing Minister Hackett to be the next leader of her party.
Speaking on Virgin Media, Senator O'Reilly said it would counter the view that the Green Party is Dublin-based and does not understand rural Ireland.
Minister O'Gorman would currently be considered to be the frontrunner given his position as a senior minister and long-standing Green Party member.
Under the Green Party rules, any member who can command the support of 50 other members can contest the leadership race, so there is a chance that plenty more candidates may pursue a tilt at the top job.
