A prominent member of Ireland's Green Party has called for the replacement of party leader Eamon Ryan.
Speaking to Tipp FM this morning, Tipperary chairperson of the Green Party David Aherne said Ryan was damaging the party everywhere but Dublin.
"Éamon is Éamon and what you see is what you get. He’s a lovely guy and everything but he does damage the credibility of us outside of Dublin. I don’t know what way it’s going to go for us from here.
"I think Éamon has taken us as far as he can take us now and I think it’s time for someone else to take over now and expand the party even further. That’s just my opinion," Aherne said.
Ryan has been the leader of the party since 2011. Aherne went on to say he had two possible replacements in mind, but would not reveal who.
Ryan has been known for his controversial comments and occasionally flamboyant ideas, such as suggesting the reintroduction of wolves to Irish society, the suggestion of implementing a car-sharing policy in rural Ireland and using the Covid-19 lockdown as an opportunity to grow salads.
As it stands, the Greens are considering an offer of a coalition from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Greens have responded to this offer looking for various concessions on policy, including a commitment to a 7% reduction in annual carbon emissions.
Ryan has said that he is not interested in the position of Tánaiste or Taoiseach as part of a coalition deal, but has said his party would expect to be given the climate action brief.
As of the most recent election, the Greens have surged to 12 seats in Dáil Éireann, having lost all of its seats following its previous coalition with Fianna Fáil.
