Martin is new Irish premier as Green party votes in favour of a coalition

Members of the environmentalist party decided by a 76% majority to form an administration with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, a party statement on Friday evening said.

It means Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will be Ireland’s new premier.

A former teacher from Co Cork he has served as leader of the Opposition in Ireland since March 2011.

He is married with three children, and has been leader of the party since February of the same year.

The 59-year-old, from Turners Cross, has been TD for Cork South-Central since 1989, and has held a number of ministerial portfolios since he was first elected.

He has served as minister for foreign affairs, for enterprise, trade and employment, health and children, and education and science.

The Greens have signed up to a programme which promises radical action on climate change but will also have to shoulder the burden of leading the country’s economic recovery from Covid-19.

Deputy leader Catherine Martin said: “Now we will move forward together, respecting the democratic wishes of the majority of our party at all times, listening to each other … working in unity to protect our country and our planet.” Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin will take over the role of Irish premier in an historic reconciliation of a political feud with Fine Gael dating back to the foundation of the state a century ago.

The two larger parties needed the support of the Greens to have a working majority in the Irish parliament, equating to around 80 seats.

February’s election was inconclusive and efforts to strike an agreement were hampered as the country’s caretaker Government coped with the pandemic.