BREAKING: 'It has been an absolute privilege' - Eamon Ryan officially steps down as Green Party leader

Eamon Ryan has officially stepped down as Green Party Leader and he will not stand in the next general election

In an announcement in front of the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon, Minister Ryan said he was "stepping down to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders."

In his opening, he said,

"I have spent the last 30 years either running for or holding public office, as a councillor, TD and Government Minister.

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

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

Mr Ryan, who has held the position of Green Party leader since 2011 said he cannot continue working the long hours and wants to spend time with his family, including his son who has special needs.

During the briefing, Minister Ryan thanked his colleagues in Leinster House for the years of support and said he looked forward to supporting the next leader, and that he will continue his ministerial roles until a new leader is appointed, adding that he was "confident" the party could go the full term.

The @greenparty_ie leader @EamonRyan has stood down as party leader. He has held the post since 2011. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/EuZTMUU0dt

— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) June 18, 2024

Minister Ryan said the party will select a new leader to "take the party forward", while the local party group will select a new candidate for the Dublin Bay South constituency for the next general election.

He went on to say that he is immensely proud of what the Government has achieved over the last four years adding that they have set Ireland on the course for a more sustainable future, mentioning improvements made to public transport, renewable energy and nature.

Fielding questions from the press regarding the decision to step down, and whether it had anything to do with the poor results from the recent elections, Minister Ryan said he had been thinking of this "for some time", and he has other commitments "at home especially".

He added "after the elections would be the right time to do it, whatever the result. It wasn't driven by the results."

Minister Ryan said that "most of his close colleagues knew of this decision", and the party is more concerned about the public support on the changes that still need to be made.

Speaking on the next leader, Minister Ryan said he will remain neutral but is determined to "back them by the hilt", as he maintains there are many talented people within the party that could hold their own as leader, adding that he is "looking forward to it all."