Green Party minister Catherine Martin has said it has been a “disappointing day” for her party as her seat remains in the “hands of the electorate” after the first tallies of first preferences put her in sixth place in her Rathdown constituency.

It is now a four-seat constituency, with Martin topping the polls four years ago after being elected in 2016.

Speaking at the counting centre, Martin admitted it had been a “disappointing day” for her colleagues in the Green Party as she thanked those who voted for her in what has become a “very, very tight” race in her constituency.

“It’s very, very tight here (at Rathdown) but still everything to play for but we’ll see what happens in the next few counts.”

Asked what she thinks may have “gone wrong” for the party, Martin said she thinks it could be “the old story of the junior coalition partner being punished by a government”.

“I remember being at the counting center in 2011 when Eamon (Ryan) lost his seat and at the time there was a feeling or a feeling that the Green Party had not delivered enough in that government. I really felt coming into this election that we had a track record of delivery and really punched above our weight.”

She said she had been “hopeful” that the party would have retained seats in this election, adding that the candidates remain “in contention” for her own seat and for the seats held by party leader Roderic O’Gorman and Dún Laoghaire’s incumbent Ossian Smyth .

“They are very tight, tight battles. I felt throughout the campaign that there was no anger outside the door and I congratulate all the candidates actually on really great campaigns, very respectful campaigns in Dublin Rathdown by everyone as well. We’ll see what happens but It’s a very, very disappointing day for the Green Party and my heart goes out to everyone, every candidate.

“We stood in every single constituency and it’s a tough day but this has happened before and we’ll be back and we’ll be back stronger than ever before, I’m sure of that.”

She said climate action was not in the campaign even though voters had raised the issue on the doorsteps, adding that she is “proud” of her work and the Green Party’s work in government.

Martin said there was a warm reception at the doors but “maybe it was just a case of the smaller party being pushed out”.

“I’m incredibly proud to be here having represented Rathdown,” she said, adding that the fate of the party is “in the hands of the voters and I respect that”.

She said the climate issue is “much more important than us as a political party”.

“I was in the hands of the voters and I’m still in the hands of the voters,” she said, adding that the Green Party’s tenure was “challenging at times” but it was also “rewarding”.

“It’s an absolute privilege to serve in government and to be one of the few women, I was very aware of that all the time. I never forgot that honor and every day I’ve been in Leinster House I look back and say ‘That’s a honor to be here.”

Martin said she was surprised by the extent to which the Green Party appears to be struggling across the country as the count continues.

She praised the Green Party team working on campaigns across the country, adding that even when the exit poll results came in last night she thought the party would retain at least “5 or 6 seats” but the party is now looking at a tight three. competitions in Dublin.

Maeve McTaggart