Local Green Party members say Eamon Ryan achieved a lot for Cork

Green Party members in Cork have paid tribute to outgoing leader Eamon Ryan following his announcement that he has decided to step down as head of the Greens.

One party member said: “His mark will remain on the city.”

Mr Ryan announced his decision yesterday, saying he believes the time is right to “pass the torch to a new generation of leaders”.

He will remain on as party leader until a new leader is appointed.

Mr Ryan is currently Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Minister for Transport and he will remain on in those roles.

However, he will not contest the next general election, citing family commitments as the reason behind his decision.

Deputy leader Catherine Martin also announced she would “step back” from her role, adding that she was not putting herself forward for the leadership contest.

In Cork, Green Party councillor in the city’s North East ward, Oliver Moran, paid tribute to the outgoing leader.

“In a list of the most important politicians of the first century of the Irish state, any list not including Eamon Ryan is going to be biased and imbalanced,” Mr Moran said.

“It can only happen if you ignore the climate and biodiversity crises and his lasting significance in setting our national and EU responses.

“It’s been my deep privilege to have known him and worked with him as a colleague and friend in the last decade of that century,” he told The Echo.

“He has a deep personal connection to Cork. That connection will endure in infrastructure like the upgrade happening in suburban rail, the bridge to Tramore Valley Park, and the cycle connection between the city centre, Glanmire, and Little Island.

“His mark will remain on the city through those works and more for the next century to come.”

Meanwhile, veteran Green Party councillor Dan Boyle — whose political career has also included stints as a TD and as a senator — said he will always be grateful to Mr Ryan as a friend and colleague “for his efforts and achievements”.

“His belief in the politics of the next generation over that of the electoral cycle, sets him apart,” Mr Boyle said.

“Policy decisions he has influenced will bear fruit in the future.”

The newest addition to the Green Party’s team on Cork City Council, Honore Kamegni, said he was “disappointed” by the announcement.

“I met Eamon a couple of times — he came down to Cork to help me with my campaign twice, with the canvassing.

“He did a great job with the party.”

Mr Ryan began his political career as a Dublin City councillor for the Rathgar-Rathmines ward before going on to serve as a TD in the old Dublin South constituency and later in Dublin Bay South.

Speaking outside Leinster House yesterday, Mr Ryan said: “I’ve spent the last 30 years either running for or holding public office.

“It’s been an absolute privilege, and I want to thank the electorate who voted for me on eight different occasions over those years, giving me the opportunity to serve our city and our country to the best of my ability.

“I’m stepping down to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders, confident in the strength and values I’ve seen built up in our party over all these years.

“I will continue as party leader and in my ministerial roles until a new leader is appointed and look forward to fulfilling whatever role a new leader assigns me for the remaining term of this Government.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin wished Mr Ryan well following the announcement, lauding him as a “man of integrity and commitment”.

“We have a good relationship, both personally and professionally,” Mr Martin stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“He has always been consistent in his personal beliefs in terms of climate and biodiversity.”

Meanwhile, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns also took to social media to pay tribute to the outgoing Green Party leader.

“I want to wish Eamon Ryan the very best as he steps down as leader of the Green Party,” the Cork South-West TD said.

“He has always been sincere and helpful and can be proud of his significant contribution to Irish public life.”

Mr Ryan is the second coalition leader to resign this year.

In April, Leo Varadkar stepped down as Taoiseach and leader of the Fine Gael party.

The Green Party had a disappointing performance nationally during the local and European elections earlier this month.

Grace O’Sullivan and Ciarán Cuffe missed out on a return to Brussels in the European election, and the party lost half its seats on local councils.

It followed a triumph for the party in the previous local and European elections.