Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid tribute to Climate Minister Eamon Ryan, as the latter announced his resignation from politics.
Ryan made the surprise announcement today in the courtyard of the Government Buildings, telling reporters that he would be stepping down as Green Party leader, and would not be contesting the next general election as a TD.
He said that he would be staying on in his role short-term until the Green Party had chosen his successor in an open leadership contest, and then he will see out the rest of this Government term before retiring. He also said that he will not be endorsing any particular candidate for his successor, and will stay out of the process entirely.
Ryan primarily cited personal reasons for the decision to step down, saying that he was needed at home to take care of his special needs child, and that the “24/7” schedule of a TD was too demanding given his family situation. He also said that several months ago he had made the decision that he would resign after the election, regardless of the result.
Reacting to Ryan’s departure, Fine Gael Taoiseach Simon Harris said he received the news yesterday, and paid tribute to his colleague.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He added: “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.”
Ryan has been Green Party leader since May of 2011, when he succeeded John Gormley.
In July of 2020, Ryan was re-elected as Green Party leader in a relatively close race, defeating the party’s Deputy Leader Catherine Martin by 994 votes to 946.
He is now the second leader of the three government coalition parties to step down in recent months, with former Fine Gael leader and ex-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar standing down in April of this year, making way for Simon Harris.
Other Fine Gael TDs who have confirmed they are not standing for re-election include Simon Coveney, Ciarán Cannon, John Paul Phelan, Michael Creed, Charlie Flanagan, Brendan Griffin, Joe McHugh, Fergus O’Dowd, David Stanton, Josepha Madigan, Richard Bruton and Paul Kehoe.
Other party TDs are understood to be contemplating not contesting the next general election in addition to these.