LUCINDA Creighton, the former TD who lost her seat in the Republic's election in February, has resigned as the leader of Renua.
Ms Creighton announced her decision at a meeting of party members in Portlaoise on Saturday morning.
She had been under pressure after losing her seat, particularly given that the party's constitution states that the head of the party must be an elected politician.
She told members: "They were the proudest years of my life. I did not imagine I would be departing the political stage as early as this, but democracy is a humbling experience.
"The principle of freedom of conscience in Irish politics is now party policy in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The whip in Irish politics has been permanently loosened.
"It’s time for me to move on from leading Renua Ireland and allow new voices to be heard," Ms Creighton added.
The former minister of state for European affairs lost both her ministerial office and parliamentary party membership when she defied Fine Gael on abortion legislation in July 2013.
She went on to found Renua in March last year, but the party failed to get any of its 24 candidates elected to the Dáil in February's election and won just over 2% of first-preference votes.
Offaly County Councillor John Leahy last month said that he wanted to become leader of Renua.
