Politics

Impressive abroad, all but ignored at home: the conundrum of being Eamon Ryan

The Green Party leader’s effectiveness in the Dáil and impressive international performance, most recently at Cop 28, is not translating to higher numbers for the party

Eamon Ryan: the Green Party leader is a polarising figure at home but a much-lauded one on the international stage, further enhanced by his leadership at Cop 28

Fresh off the plane from Cop 28 in Dubai on Wednesday evening, Eamon Ryan arrived into the Dáil bar to a round of applause from parliamentarians and staff from across the political divide.

“He literally flew home from leading the EU’s negotiations at the UN climate conference and his first stop was into the Dáil to vote. Most other people would be exhausted at that stage, but he was bursting with energy and brimming with ideas,” Steven Matthews, Green Party TD, told the Business Post.