Reaction to Eamon Ryan stepping down as Green Party leader

Michael Bolton

Tributes have been paid to Eamon Ryan following the announcement he has stepped down as leader of the Green Party.

Mr Ryan has led the party since 2011, and is the current Minister for the Environment, where he will stay following his resignation as party leader.

Mr Ryan was a key to the party's resurgence following their wipe out in the 2011 General Election.

However, after a disappointing Local and European Election, which saw the Green Party lose both their MEP's, he has taken the decision to step down.

A TD for Dublin Bay South since 2016, Mr Ryan also confirmed he would not be running in the next General Election, with speculation his resignation could see it take place this year.

Following Tuesday's announcement, Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to Mr Ryan, describing him as a “genuine, passionate and inherently decent person”.

“Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday informed me of his decision to resign his leadership of the Green Party.

“Eamon is a politician of enormous standing and I want to pay tribute to him and his family for everything they have given Irish politics through his leadership of the Greens. I respect and understand his decision.

“Eamon is a genuine, passionate and inherently decent person who brings those same qualities to politics.

“The leadership of the Green Party is now a matter for the party’s members and rules.

“The Government’s work continues and the programme for government between the three coalition parties will continue to be implemented.

“We have much work to do.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also paid tribute, as he said "Eamon is a man of integrity & commitment. We have a good relationship, both personally & professionally.

"He has always been consistent in his personal beliefs in terms of climate & biodiversity."

Minister for Integration and fellow Green Party TD Roderic O’Gorman thanked Eamon Ryan for his achievements during his time as party leader.

"I'm so grateful to him for all that he's done, for his leadership of the party, for his commitment to advancing climate action and nature restoration."

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage & Electoral Reform and Green Party TD Malcom Noonan also paid tribute to Mr Ryan, as he made reference to his achievements since 2011.

Grace O'Sullivan, who lost her seat in the recent European elections, thanked Mr Ryan for encouraging her to run in previous elections during his time as leader.

There were also tributes from the opposition, including Michael Healy-Rae, who would often disagree with the Green Party's climate policies.

The reaction was not all positive however, with Ryanair making reference to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, an issue Michael O'Leary has been critical of Mr Ryan on.