proposal that was advanced by Fine Gael Councillors Jim O'Leary (now resigned) and Barry Ward, but this decision was the subject of much criticism from John Gormley's Green Party colleague and local TD, Ciarán Cuffe. In March 2010, the Minister instructed the council to reverse its decision. In a close vote (with then Cathaoirleach Marie Baker exercising a casting a vote in favour of the Minister), the Council did change its decision, but the developer (Tristor Ltd.) took the Minister and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council to the High Court. Mr Justice Frank Clarke eventually ruled on the case in November 2010, finding that Minister Gormley had exceeded his powers by ordering the council to change its decision. On 22 November 2010, he called for an election date to be fixed in the second half of January 2011 following the announcement of an EU financial rescue package for Ireland due to the ongoing financial crisis in the country. He resigned as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Governmenton on 23 January 2011, when the Green Party withdrew from government. 2011 general election and aftermath Gormley lost his seat at the 2011 general election on 25 February 2011. He announced in an email to Green Party members on 20 March 2011, that he would not be seeking re-election as leader of the party. He was succeeded as party leader by Eamon Ryan on 27 May 2011. References 1959 births Living people Alumni of University College Dublin Green Party (Ireland) TDs Leaders of the Green Party (Ireland) Lord Mayors of Dublin Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Ministers for the Environment (Ireland) People educated at St Munchin's College Politicians from County Dublin