Minister of State Ossian Smyth is withdrawing from the race to become deputy leader of the Green Party.
He said as Roderic O'Gorman was elected party leader, it would be best for the party if the deputy leader was female.
Both Senator Roisin Garvey and Dublin TD Neasa Hourigan are the two remaining candidates in the race.
Green Party members will decide this Sunday who should become deputy leader in an online vote.
A result is expected around 6pm.
The outgoing deputy leader is Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, who decided not to stand.
