Eamon Ryan resigns before the General Election.

flazio

The Green Party have done really poorly this past week. As things stand I think they are going to get destroyed in the next election.

Perhaps it's time that Eamon Ryan take a look at the future of the party and let someone else lead the party into the election in order to salvage something.

jimmycrackcorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355833/should-eamon-ryan-resign-before-the-general-election

This is a ridiculous point of view. The Greens went into government with a set of policy objectives that they have actually followed through. None of the other parties such as the SDs or Labour were willing to do so because they know, as the Greens have from experience that the Irish Electorate stupidly always punishes the minor coalition party for not forcing the majority parties to do just follow the minor party policies. Tail wagging dog stuff.

Dr Turk Turkelton

Yep they have been decimated. A new leader and new blood badly needed to become a progressive rather than a regressive idiot party badly needed.

This is not the time for naps in Leinster House.

flazio

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.

Well, thanks to the major partys we can't buy our own tinteán, and thanks to the minor party when we do get a house, there's no tinteán in it.

Augme

Even if he steps down it will make no difference. He's probably better off seeing through the election and then stepping down so Catherine Martin can have a fresh start rather than starting her tenure with a disastourous general election. I don't think he will even get elected to the Dail at the next election anyway.

growleaves

Ryan is one of the least worst options. There are some seriously charmless people in the Green Party who don't quite understand how unlovely they are.

Remember when certain Greens rounded on Ryan and falsely accused him of being a racist? As part of a failed heave.

The "rules" of public discourse (which many people do not accept, in fact) allow you to heap utterly outrageous accusations on people and put them on the defensive regarding "sexism and racism".

However only a total fool would fail to realise how this makes them look in the eyes of people who are not themselves vicious careerists. Then after the failed heave Ryan had to be a 'good sport' about it because he didn't want to blow up the party.

L1011

What good would it achieve for anyone?

Martin would take over as leader, and whatever for her own beliefs, she comes with the baggage of her ex-PD brother who she promoted to the Seanad and who she will - thankfully, cause she did promote him - be forever associated with. Ireland has long since given up on PD politics but I don't think he has. The Greens neoliberal streak is strong there.

Even if he quit as leader he'd likely keep the Minister role; if he didn't it would still be a GP role to reassign so we'd get another GP minister with the same ideology but now coupled with zero experience

The last months, if ABP don't delay it, of that role will have the Minister sign off on tenders for major projects so if your aim is to damage the Greens, allowing someone new to get the credit for Metrolink and DART+ rather than the already seriously damaged Ryan isn't a good idea.

Jinglejangle69

Tax, tax, tax.

That’s all they’ve got to achieve their agenda.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257342#Comment_122257342

The minister for the environment that saw grants for domestic solar and ev cars and domestic chargers cut.

growleaves

Anyone remember the cringe splitter party ‘An Rabharta Glas – Green Left’? That was going to have Saoirse McHugh and some other disgruntled Green tearaways.

From the leaks:

'ARG believes it should “be slightly obnoxious/sassy at most times and de-emphasise politeness”. The document claims the Social Democrats will be “put out” by the launch of ARG and that the new party should be “a little bit edgier”. Plenary minutes from a meeting on December 6 show members being told “everyone go read Marx”.

A draft strategic plan says the party will take an “intersectional, anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist approach to all policy matters'

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dont-mention-electric-cars-and-read-karl-marx-ex-green-party-members-plan-new-party/40236979.html

Polar101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257410#Comment_122257410

Yeah, it makes sense for Ryan to stay until after the general elections - it's hard to see any better results coming their way soon and then a new leader can try to rebuild from whatever is left afterwards.

Unless the general elections aren't until next year, then Ryan will probably stay on until then.

Just an opinion, though - I can't say for certain what will happen.

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257453#Comment_122257453

Nope, the greens and Ryan don't get to blame the EU for that. That's all domestic

orangerhyme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355833/should-eamon-ryan-resign-before-the-general-election

If you look at their results in local elections going back over the years, it's not actually a bad result but 2019 was a Green wave so was a record year. It's all relative. They won 12 seats in last general election also.

The tide tends to come in and out on the Green Party, because they don't have a core base who votes for regardless like other parties. 2019 was high tide, at the moment the tides going out.

Eamon Ryan will stay until next election at least. He's knee deep in a bunch of important public transport projects so I think he wants to get them over the line like Metrolink, BusConnects, Dart+, pedestrianising more of Dublin, Cork urban rail, local link etc...

The backlog in ABP is slowing a lot of his plans.

I'd imagine the Green Party will lose most of their 12 TDs in next election but it's hard to say. Catherine Martin is guaranteed to keep her seat as her constituency is gaining a seat, but after that it's impossible to call. Eamon Ryan could lose his seat.

I've a feeling SF won't do as well as expected. I think people are beginning to realise they're the Emperor's new clothes.

Green Party might hold 3 seats and can rebuild from there.

Furze99

Probably but not a hope in hell. Eamon will keep his bum in the seat till the lights go out and everyone has left the room.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257472#Comment_122257472

It would be hugely ironic if Martin keeps her seat. Surely one of the most ineffective ministers in years, across all her briefs.

Hungry Burger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257443#Comment_122257443

Cringe.

timmyntc

Ryan is on the moderate side of the greens.

If he steps down as leader they will be obliterated as the more progressive faction takes over the party and alienates what little voterbase they had.

tom23

Shocking that lady can potentially hold onto her seat.

dmakc

No, I'd rather he stay and be humbled come GE.

97% of the public didn't ask to be dictated to by these zealots tax policies. Then you have ROG's immigration mess, and Martin's RTE & tourism fiascos. If ever a party needed to learn that life isn't a Disney movie.

Back to the wilderness now until they can convert and ride the wave of the next generation of adolescents

Tabnabs

This little gem from the bauld Eamon and his entirely ineffectual colleague, Senator Pippa Hackett (Minister Hackett no less), about how potholes and bad road surfaces nationwide are down to climate change really brightened my day.

The funding was part of a €30m allocation countrywide by Minister for
Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers for regional
and local roads. This is to deal specifically with the impact of climate
change, which has contributed to a deterioration in the surface quality
of certain parts of the network over the winter months. This emergency
investment will assist in addressing the worst impacted areas of the
road network.

https://www.offalyindependent.ie/2024/06/11/over-e650k-extra-emergency-funding-for-offaly-road-repairs/

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258019#Comment_122258019

Yes, democracy is such a drag.

Deep Thought

yea. Irrespective of an election. The amount of additional tax added to us is ridiculous

tom23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258155#Comment_122258155

Yes it is.. well said.

twinytwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257342#Comment_122257342

Oh please, the man is a cabbage.

He believes the climate is in trouble but had no problem jetting all over the globe. He is a prime example of rules for thee but not for me.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258320#Comment_122258320

We had that weak argument every St. Patrick's Day.

If he refused to do his job as a minister representing Ireland abroad we'd most likely see him being criticised too.

twinytwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258341#Comment_122258341

No not really, you know its not just patricks day right? - He could lead by example, why have the meetings over zoom when instead you can have a nice trip at tax payers expense.

Any that's one example of green policy bs.

FrancieBrady

It didn't matter a damn what their MEPs did, they lost their seats because of the domestic Green performance. Ryan can stay or go, it won't have any effect in a GE.

Danzy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257443#Comment_122257443

A dead end party for the entitled to play Bolshevik revolution.

bartkingcole

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258320#Comment_122258320

what do you expect him to do? Cycle? He was leading EU negotiations.

Is he right about the risks of climate change? Yes

Does farming have a role in addressing it? Yes but they need a bit more common sense in how they go about it.

Should there be greater investment in public transport and better planning? Yes.

Does this mean no investment in roads? No - on this he needs to be a bit more balanced.

The greens have done a reasonable job in Govt. I would like to see them keep their seats as they are different to other parties and they are certainly better for the country than a truck load of Healy-Rae’s.

bartkingcole

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258170#Comment_122258170

what additional tax?

flazio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258410#Comment_122258410

They're going to call it "Road", wait for it, I bet they are going to call it "Road"

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258359#Comment_122258359

I find the idea that you believe he doesn't have plenty of zoom calls and phone calls pretty funny.

There is also no rule or law against people flying so the "rules for thee but not for me" argument doesn't even make sense.

AndrewJRenko

Maybe the Greens should consider taking advice from people who are actually interested in them succeeding, not from those who are out to destroy the party and our planet?

twinytwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258440#Comment_122258440

Never said he didn't, nor did i suggest there were any rules about flying.

My point was did he, as leader of the green party and someone who is supposedly worried about the climate really need to travel to china, kenya etc.

If you are then going support adding carbon taxes etc the optics are not good.

twinytwo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258459#Comment_122258459

So if i do not support the greens or ER, i am out to destroy the planet? Ok!

magicbastarder

should ryan be judged on making the green party popular, or achieving the goals in their manifesto?

if he does the former but not the latter, has he succeeded or failed?

anyway, it was clear the GP did well at the previous election during an upswing, so was he responsible for that upswing? and if not, is he responsible for a downswing?

regarding his international travel, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. if he didn't travel, there'd be howls that he was not representing the country properly.

if he did sail-rail to a european conference say, there'd be loads of comments that that is a waste of time of a government minister.

flazio

There is middle ground between zooming around Europe and Zooming in a self imposed lockdown 2.0

Perfection is often the enemy of the good.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258497#Comment_122258497

Yes, clearly he felt he needed to travel to these places. Attending summits and interacting with people is a huge part of how politics works.

The Greens have never campaigned to abolish travel so there is zero hypocrisy involved.

bladespin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258040#Comment_122258040

Absolutely, time to take the medicine they've deservied for years.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258809#Comment_122258809

You could be skating on very thin ice with that last sentence. You're correct insofar as said travel is by foot or bike preferably and after that public transport whether train, bus or boat.

Generally travel incorporates tourism and take one look at the level of support for the Irish tourism industry from a Green minister. If you were to judge by actions or lack of action, you'd quickly conclude that the Greens are indifferent at best to travel & tourism. Not in their line of vision at all (and I understand that), but why then did they take the brief?

Oscar_Madison

We don’t need a “Green party”- we need willing political parties that will implement clever sustainable energy initiatives that support the commitments we’ve signed up to as a country.

We won’t dodge our commitments by exiting the Greens but personally I’d prefer to see FF and FG take on the role of innovative green energy production - we’re gonna be fcked as a country if we don’t start getting our act together

magicbastarder

last GE, FG published a 'we're going to increase biodiversity' manifesto which proudly trumpeted their plan to install beehives in public parks. if that's the level of expertise they're willing to throw at the problem, it just shows contempt.

DamiensNeck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122257333#Comment_122257333

Why act like the greens did a good thing going into Government? They were were the only party willing to prop up FFG.

FFG couldn't form a government unless the Greens propped them up.

The Greens are enablers of FFG.

If a party really cares about the environment and you're the only ones who can save it, then why go into a coalition knowing you'll only be in it for 5 years max.

magicbastarder

If a party really cares about the environment and you're the only ones who can save it, then why go into a coalition knowing you'll only be in it for 5 years max.

if you think you're the only ones who can save the environment, that's precisely why you'd go into coalition.

the greens were not going to get anything done by staying out of coalition. it's easy to be a hurler on the ditch, you remain ideologically pure while achieving nothing.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122259473#Comment_122259473

Why do industries need 'support'? Isn't the whole ethos of business and capitalism that industries stand on their own feet?

StormForce13

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258019#Comment_122258019

She was, until the RTE fiasco broke, the Minister responsible for doling out huge wedges of taxpayers' largesse to the Arts and Culture luvvies. Hence she got lots of soft publicity and favourable coverage in the media.

However, her incompetence and the ongoing series of bad decisions that she has made over RTE suggest to me that she's incapable of running an ice cream van, let alone a Government Department with a ludicrously large remit.

It would be jaw dropping is she became the Greens' next leader, assuming that by some miracle she managed to retain her seat. However, given that it's the Greens, it wouldn't really surprise me either!

vectra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058355833/should-eamon-ryan-resign-before-the-general-election

It would make no odds.
They did very bad at the last GE and yet Micheal invited him in with open arms.

Polar101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122259902#Comment_122259902

I don't understand. How did they do badly at the last GE's when it was their best result in history?

It's the next one they'll do badly at.

charlie14

Otto von Bismarck said politics was the art of the possible, the attainable - the art of the next best thing.

Until the Green Party learn how to compromise it won`t matter who their leader is.

magicbastarder

You mean the junior partner in a three way coalition hasn't compromised, that they've gotten their way on everything?

charlie14

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122260619#Comment_122260619

The Green Party were jumping up and down threatening to collapse the government if they didn`t get their way on culling cattle to save the planetwhile Brazil alone was increasing their cattle numbers by over 20 million. They have continually blocked the use of LNG when the CRU and Eirgrid have told Ryan that it is needed for our energy security. Even a report his Dept commissioned has tols him the same and he still refuses to do anytthing about it. He is still pushing a 2050 offshore wind/hydrogen plan that not only can he not give a cost for, he now admits it is not even technically possible within the next 20 years, if ever.

The greens do not do compromise. The don`t even do logic. Their sole interest is pushing their ideology using climate change to do so while having little or no interest in doing anything practical to reduce carbon emissions. Heralding the burning of 200,000 tons of wood in Killala annually to generate electricity, plus doing the same in Offaly clearly shows that when even green advocacy think tanks have shown wood burning emits the same or more carbon emissions than even coal.