Catherine Martin has appeared to rule out challenging Roderic O’Gorman for leadership of the Green Party.
In June, Eamon Ryan and Ms Martin stepped down from their respective roles as leader and deputy leader of the party.
Following contests, they were replaced by Mr O’Gorman and Senator Roisin Garvey respectively.
Ms Martin had not entered the leadership race.
Asked at the time if she would never seek the top job, she said: “Never say never and I’ve made it clear that it’s just at this point at time.”
According to the Green Party’s internal constitution, another leadership contest must take place no later than six months after the election of a taoiseach following a general election.
This could potentially leave other members of the party who did not enter the previous leadership race to put their name forward following the general election.
Asked on Tuesday if Mr O’Gorman should be worried about her challenging his leadership following the election, Ms Martin said: “I think Minister O’Gorman, I was only saying it to him today, is doing a fantastic job as leader.
“And I have full confidence that he will be re-elected and be leader beyond the general election.
“I look forward to working with him, it’s an absolute pleasure to work with him. We’re long-time friends.”
Ms Martin was speaking to reporters at an event to promote Culture Night next Friday September 20th.
The Culture Minister said: “Culture Night is a really special night in our cultural calendar where we get an opportunity to embrace the vibrant and diverse cultural offerings right across the country – the bonus being that everything is free.
“Over 1,700 events from from circus, to samba, to music, to gigs, to workshops – it’s really a celebration of our culture and I think everyone gets to experience it.”
Elsewhere, the third year of the Arts Council’s book-gifting project Read Mor will see a works from Irish and Irish-based authors being delivered for free to all prisons nationally, in recognition of those who cannot attend other Culture Night events.
