View source for Eamon Ryan

{{Short description|Irish former politician (born 1963)}}
{{for|the footballer|Éamonn Ryan}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image         = Eamon Ryan, October 2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption       = Ryan in 2021
| office        = [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications]]
| taoiseach     = {{ubl|[[Micheál Martin]]|[[Leo Varadkar]]|[[Simon Harris]]}}
| term_start    = 27 June 2020
| term_end      = 23 January 2025
| predecessor   = [[Richard Bruton]]
| successor     = [[Darragh O'Brien]]
| office1       = [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]]
| taoiseach1    = {{ubl|Micheál Martin|Leo Varadkar|Simon Harris}}
| term_start1   = 27 June 2020
| term_end1     = 23 January 2025
| predecessor1  = [[Shane Ross]]
| successor1    = [[Darragh O'Brien]]
| office2       = [[Green Party (Ireland)|Leader of the Green Party]]
| deputy2       = [[Catherine Martin (politician)|Catherine Martin]]
| term_start2   = 27 May 2011
| term_end2     = 18 June 2024
| predecessor2  = [[John Gormley]]
| successor2    = [[Roderic O'Gorman]]
| office3       = [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]]
| taoiseach3    = {{Ubl|[[Bertie Ahern]]|[[Brian Cowen]]}}
| term_start3   = 14 June 2007
| term_end3     = 23 January 2011
| predecessor3  = [[Noel Dempsey]]
| successor3    = [[Pat Carey]]
| office4       = [[Teachta Dála]]
| term_start4   = [[2016 Irish general election|February 2016]]
| term_end4     = [[2024 Irish general election|November 2024]]
| constituency4 = [[Dublin Bay South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin Bay South]]
| term_start5   = [[2002 Irish general election|May 2002]]
| term_end5     = [[2011 Irish general election|February 2011]]
| constituency5 = [[Dublin South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin South]]
| birth_name    = Eamon Michael Ryan
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1963|7|28|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Dundrum, Dublin]], Ireland
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| party         = [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]]
| spouse        = {{marriage|Victoria White|1998}}
| children      = 4
| education     = [[Gonzaga College]]
| alma_mater    = [[University College Dublin]]
| website       = {{URL|eamonryan.ie}}
}}
'''Eamon Michael Ryan''' (born 28 July 1963) is an Irish former [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] politician who served as [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications]] and [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]] from June 2020 to January 2025, and was [[Green Party (Ireland)|Leader of the Green Party]] from May 2011 to June 2024. He served as a [[Teachta Dála]] (TD) for the [[Dublin Bay South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin Bay South]] constituency from 2016 to 2024, and previously from 2002 to 2011 for the [[Dublin South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin South]] constituency. He previously served as [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] from 2007 to 2011.<ref name=oireachtas_db>{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Eamon-Ryan.D.2002-06-06/|title=Eamon Ryan|work=Oireachtas Members Database|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011652/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Eamon-Ryan.D.2002-06-06/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.irishtimes.com/election-2016/dublin-bay-south| title = Dublin Bay South constituency| newspaper = The Irish Times| access-date = 1 March 2016| archive-date = 1 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160301090137/http://www.irishtimes.com/election-2016/dublin-bay-south| url-status = live}}</ref> On 18 June 2024, he announced that he was stepping down as leader of the Green Party.<ref name=resig>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2024/0618/1455321-eamon-ryan/|title=Live Eamon Ryan to step down as Green Party leader|publisher=RTÉ News|date=18 June 2024|access-date=18 June 2024}}</ref> He retired from politics after the [[2024 Irish general election|2024 general election]].

==Early and personal life==
Ryan was born in [[Dublin]] in 1963 and raised in [[Dundrum, Dublin|Dundrum]], where he continues to live with his family. He was educated at [[Gonzaga College]] and [[University College Dublin]], where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He was manager of the UCD Marketing Development Programme from 1985 to 1986, and following three years of emigration and unemployment in 1989, he founded Cycling Safaris, a company which organises cycling holidays in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] and [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Eamon|url=https://www.eamonryan.ie/about|access-date=30 January 2021|website=Eamon Ryan|language=en-IE|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109142445/https://www.eamonryan.ie/about|url-status=live}}</ref> He married the author and journalist Victoria White in 1998 and they have four children.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingsafaris.com/about.html |title=About Cycling Safaris |publisher=cyclingsafaris.com |access-date=21 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723011917/http://www.cyclingsafaris.com/about.html |archive-date=23 July 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Thinking Man's Green">{{cite news |last=Humphreys |first=Joe |date=17 September 2004 |title=Thinking man's Green looks to the Park |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/thinking-man-s-green-looks-to-the-park-1.1157994 |work=[[Irish Times]] |access-date=21 March 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922203546/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/thinking-man-s-green-looks-to-the-park-1.1157994 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Political career==
He first held political office in 1998, when he was co-opted to [[Dublin City Council]], taking up the seat previously held by [[John Gormley]].<ref name="Thinking Man's Green"/> He topped the poll at the [[1999 Irish local elections|1999 local elections]] in the [[Rathmines]] local electoral area. From 1995 to 2002, he served on the advisory committee of the Dublin Transport Office. At the [[2002 Irish general election|2002 general election]], he was first elected to [[Dáil Éireann]] as a [[Green Party (Ireland)|Green Party]] TD for the [[Dublin South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin South]] constituency.<ref name=elecs_irl>{{cite web|url=http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=895|title=Eamon Ryan|work=ElectionsIreland.org|access-date=7 January 2009|archive-date=3 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203041532/http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=895|url-status=live}}</ref> He served as Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources during the [[29th Dáil]].

In 2003, Ryan protested against the use of [[Shannon Airport]] by the U.S. military for transport of combatants and arms, in violation of Ireland's neutrality.<ref>{{Citation|title=Don't Look Back in Anger:2003|publisher=Virgin Media|publication-place=Ireland}}</ref>

He announced on 13 September 2004, that he intended to seek his party's nomination to be a candidate in the [[2004 Irish presidential election|2004 presidential election]]. However, when it was announced that the incumbent, [[Mary McAleese]], was seeking a second term he withdrew. His campaign was also hit by his admission of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] use, an illegal drug.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ryan-facing-storm-over-his-stance-on-use-of-cannabis-25898049.html |title=Ryan facing storm over his stance on use of cannabis |date=16 September 2004 |access-date=17 August 2021 |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817040318/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ryan-facing-storm-over-his-stance-on-use-of-cannabis-25898049.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===First term in government (2007–2011)===
[[File:Eamon Ryan Green Party.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Ryan in 2007]]
Ryan was re-elected to the Dáil at the [[2007 Irish general election|2007 general election]] held on 24 May. On 13 June, the Green Party voted in favour of entering into a coalition government with [[Fianna Fáil]] and the [[Progressive Democrats]] at a special party convention. Ryan was appointed to the cabinet by [[Taoiseach]] [[Bertie Ahern]], as [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] when the [[30th Dáil]] sat the following day.

As Minister, he stated his priorities would be to improve upon the changes underway in the Irish energy sector, with strong emphasis on aiding the adaptation of [[Renewable energy|renewables]] and [[Green retrofit|building retrofitting]]. He also aimed to enhance communications infrastructure where Ireland had fallen behind other countries. During his period in office, installed [[Wind energy|wind]] capacity in Ireland doubled, and by 2010 the average daily energy derived from [[Renewable energy|renewable]] sources (as a percentage of total demand) had increased to 17%, peaking at 42%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eirgrid.com/renewables/policyandtargets/ |title=EirGrid Policy and Targets |publisher=[[EirGrid]] plc |access-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815202121/http://www.eirgrid.com/renewables/policyandtargets/ |archive-date=15 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Energy_in_Ireland/Energy_in_Ireland_1990-2009.html |title=Energy in Ireland 1990–2009 |publisher=Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515062712/http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Energy_in_Ireland/Energy_in_Ireland_1990-2009.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eirgrid.com/media/Annual%20Renewable%20Report%202010.pdf |title=EirGrid Annual Report 2010 |publisher=EirGrid plc |access-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815202427/http://www.eirgrid.com/media/Annual%20Renewable%20Report%202010.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He also committed Ireland to the [[North Sea Offshore Grid|European Super Grid]] programme in 2009 and announced major government investment in [[marine energy]] research projects.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jan/03/european-unites-renewable-energy-supergrid |title=Europe Unites Behind Renewable Energy Supergrid |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=3 January 2010 |access-date=28 May 2011 |location=London |first=Alok |last=Jha |archive-date=9 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909073920/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jan/03/european-unites-renewable-energy-supergrid |url-status=live }}</ref> Government schemes were expanded for home energy retrofitting as uptake increased,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Energy/Energy+Efficiency+and+Affordability+Division/Retrofit+Consultation.html/ |title=Retrofit Consultation |publisher=[[Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment|Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |access-date=28 May 2011 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> the National Broadband Scheme was completed,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Development/National+Broadband+Scheme.htm/ |title=National Broadband Scheme |publisher=[[Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |access-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628043716/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Communications/Communications+Development/National+Broadband+Scheme.htm |archive-date=28 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> a Broadband for Schools Scheme launched,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1004/breaking28.html |title=Schools broadband scheme unveiled |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=4 October 2010 |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=4 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304202406/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1004/breaking28.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a national [[electric vehicle]] and chargepoint initiative was announced in conjunction with the [[ESB Electric Ireland]] and [[PSA Peugeot Citroën|Peugeot Citroën]], which was subsequently implemented by the new government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release433.jsp |title=Irish Government and ESB sign new electric car deal with PSA Peugeot Citroën |work=ESB |access-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722192318/http://www.esb.ie/main/press/press-release433.jsp |archive-date=22 July 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Minister+Rabbitte+launches+Electric+Vehicles+grant+scheme.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005025122/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/Minister+Rabbitte+launches+Electric+Vehicles+grant+scheme.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 October 2011 |title=Minister Rabbitte launches Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme |publisher=[[Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment|Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]] |access-date=28 May 2011 }}</ref>

In response to the [[Corrib gas controversy]], the environmental activist organisation [[Shell to Sea]] and its spokesperson [[Maura Harrington]], criticised Ryan for joining Fianna Fáil in coalition as the terms of the programme for government did not include a reversal or renegotiation of the proposed gas pipeline and refinery at [[Broadhaven Bay]], [[County Mayo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shelltosea.com/content/shell-sea-challenge-ministers-dismantle-illegal-shell-pipeline |title=Shell to Sea challenge Ministers to dismantle illegal Shell pipeline |publisher=Shell to Sea |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929170343/http://www.shelltosea.com/content/shell-sea-challenge-ministers-dismantle-illegal-shell-pipeline |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shelltosea.com/content/corrib-gas-protesters-meet-ministers |title=Corrib gas protesters meet Ministers |publisher=Shell to Sea |access-date=28 May 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929170505/http://www.shelltosea.com/content/corrib-gas-protesters-meet-ministers |url-status=live }}</ref> Before entering into government, Ryan supported the aims of the Shell to Sea campaign and attended their protests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story/?trs=mhqlcwojau |archive-url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20081208235631/http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story/?trs=mhqlcwojau |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2008 |title=Ryan ministry is welcomed by Shell to Sea |work=[[Western People]] |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=7 January 2009 }}</ref> Ryan was also criticised by Shell to Sea for failing to launch an independent review of the decision, as stipulated by the Green Party in a motion passed at their annual convention in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0711/1215677272296.html |title=Greens urge Ryan to consider moving Corrib gas refinery |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |date=11 July 2008 |access-date=7 January 2009 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093150/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0711/1215677272296.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenparty.ie/en/about/party_archives/election_2007/manifesto_2007 |title=Green Party General Election Manifesto 2007 |publisher=Green Party |access-date=28 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928180716/http://www.greenparty.ie/en/about/party_archives/election_2007/manifesto_2007 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>

Ryan resigned as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 23 January 2011, when the Green Party withdrew from government.<ref name=Resign>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0123/politics1.html |title=Green Party withdraws from government |work=[[RTÉ News]] |date=23 January 2011 |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124114818/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0123/politics1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The following day he helped broker an agreement with [[Fine Gael]] and the [[Labour Party (Ireland)|Labour Party]] which ensured the passing of the 2011 Finance bill, prior to the holding of the [[2011 Irish general election|general election]] on the 25 February 2011. He lost his seat at election, receiving 6.8% of the vote.<ref name=election2011>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/election2011/results/dublin-south.html |title=Dublin South election results |work=[[RTÉ News]] |date=26 February 2011 |access-date=26 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228221620/http://www.rte.ie/news/election2011/results/dublin-south.html |archive-date=28 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Green Party leader in opposition (2011–2020)===
He was one of three candidates to contest the subsequent Green Party leadership election of May 2011. He was elected leader on 27 May 2011, succeeding [[John Gormley]].<ref name=leader>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0527/greenparty.html|title=Eamon Ryan elected Green Party leader|work=[[RTÉ News]]|date=27 May 2011|access-date=27 May 2011|archive-date=28 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528133028/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0527/greenparty.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The party had no representation in the Oireachtas when he became leader.

In 2012, he became an associate with E3G working on an assessment of the development potential of the North Seas Offshore Grid Initiative in a project which was supported by the [[European Climate Foundation]] and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation. In 2013, he organised two climate gatherings which brought international climate experts to Ireland to examine what new narratives are needed to increase public support for action on the climate issue.

He was the Green Party candidate in the [[Dublin (European Parliament constituency)|Dublin]] constituency at the [[2014 European Parliament election in Ireland|2014 European Parliament election]], but was not elected. He was elected a TD for the [[Dublin Bay South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin Bay South]] constituency in the [[2016 Irish general election|2016 general election]], alongside deputy leader [[Catherine Martin (politician)|Catherine Martin]] who secured a seat in [[Dublin Rathdown (Dáil constituency)|Dublin Rathdown]]. The Greens' return to the Dáil following their wipeout in 2011 was the first time in Irish election history that a political party had been able to survive losing all their TDs.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 February 2020 |title=GREEN ON GREEN |url=https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/green-on-green/ |work=[[The Phoenix (magazine)|The Phoenix]] |access-date=28 June 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628054406/https://www.thephoenix.ie/article/green-on-green/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, Ryan called for wolves to be reintroduced to Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|last=McGee |first=Harry |title=Greens call for wolves to be reintroduced to Ireland|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/greens-call-for-wolves-to-be-reintroduced-to-ireland-1.4036692|access-date=12 June 2020|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228232708/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/greens-call-for-wolves-to-be-reintroduced-to-ireland-1.4036692|url-status=live}}</ref> Fine Gael rejected this suggestion, with [[Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]] [[Josepha Madigan]] responding that her department had no plans to reintroduce wolves into the country, saying that doing so would do damage to farming.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fine Gael reject suggestion to reintroduce wolves into Ireland|url=https://www.joe.ie/news/fine-gael-reject-proposal-to-reintroduce-wolves-into-ireland-683527|access-date=12 June 2020|website=JOE.ie|language=en|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612165312/https://www.joe.ie/news/fine-gael-reject-proposal-to-reintroduce-wolves-into-ireland-683527|url-status=live}}</ref> He reiterated the following January that he would like to see them introduced in his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 January 2020|title=Eamon Ryan restates his wish to see wolves reintroduced into Ireland in his lifetime|url=https://extra.ie/2020/01/18/news/politics/eamon-ryan-restates-his-wish-to-see-wolves-reintroduced-into-ireland-in-his-lifetime|access-date=12 June 2020|website=Extra.ie|language=en|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612165311/https://extra.ie/2020/01/18/news/politics/eamon-ryan-restates-his-wish-to-see-wolves-reintroduced-into-ireland-in-his-lifetime|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2019, comments he made on car use in rural Ireland which were published in an article by ''The Irish Times'' was criticised online. The newspaper also stated that Ryan suggested that a village of 300 people needs just 30 cars to operate. In the article, Ryan stated people could walk to a pick-up point or cycle. Responding to the article, the party took issue with the headline, and in a statement said the original headline (''"You don't need to own a car to live in rural Ireland"'' - Green Party T.D') had caused “a flood of online fury – and rightly so, because a suggestion like that would be ridiculous and impractical”.<ref>{{cite web|last=Finn|first=Christina|title='We deeply regret the hurt this has caused': Eamon Ryan says he does not want to restrict cars in rural Ireland|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/car-pooling-eamon-ryan-4847511-Oct2019/|access-date=12 June 2020|website=TheJournal.ie|date=11 October 2019 |language=en|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612165312/https://www.thejournal.ie/car-pooling-eamon-ryan-4847511-Oct2019/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2020, the Green Party had its best election result in the [[2020 Irish general election|general election of that year]], with the party increasing its representation in the Dáil to 12 TDs.<ref>{{cite news |last=McGrath |first=Dominic |date=10 February 2020 |title=Neither a ripple nor a wave - the Green Party's record-breaking election |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/green-party-election-result-constituency-climate-5001227-Feb2020/ |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629191906/https://www.thejournal.ie/green-party-election-result-constituency-climate-5001227-Feb2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ryan was re-elected in the [[Dublin Bay South (Dáil constituency)|Dublin Bay South]] constituency, topping the poll with 22.4% of the first-preference votes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/dublin-bay-south|title=Dublin Bay South constituency|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605145131/https://www.irishtimes.com/election2020/dublin-bay-south|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="irishtimes-2020-02-10-dublin-bay-south">{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/dublin-bay-south-results-andrews-says-tent-incident-influenced-voters-1.4165174 |title=Dublin Bay South results: Andrews says tent incident influenced voters |date=10 February 2020 |first=Paul |last=Cullen |newspaper=[[Irish Times]] |location=Dublin |access-date=5 June 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210605101555/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/dublin-bay-south-results-andrews-says-tent-incident-influenced-voters-1.4165174 |archive-date=5 June 2021 }}</ref>

In March 2020, in a speech in a debate on responses to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland|COVID-19 pandemic crisis]], he made comments on growing food in the event of a supply crisis that went viral online, saying, "we'll have our salads ready to go!"<ref>{{cite web|title='We'll have our salads ready to go!' – Eamon Ryan proposes public grow their own food|url=https://www.independent.ie/videos/well-have-our-salads-ready-to-go-eamon-ryan-proposes-public-grow-their-own-food-39060433.html|access-date=2 June 2020|website=independent|date=20 March 2020 |language=en|archive-date=28 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928194452/https://www.independent.ie/videos/well-have-our-salads-ready-to-go-eamon-ryan-proposes-public-grow-their-own-food-39060433.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2020, he was criticised online, particularly by Green Party councillors, for his use of the phrase "you nigger" when quoting director Sean Gallen on his experiences of racism.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Paul|date=11 June 2020|title=Eamon Ryan apologises for using 'racial slur' in Dáil|website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0611/1146858-eamon-ryan-apologises-for-using-a-racial-slur-in-dail/|language=en|access-date=12 June 2020|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612171716/https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0611/1146858-eamon-ryan-apologises-for-using-a-racial-slur-in-dail/|url-status=live}}</ref> Gallen himself said that Ryan's intentions were "really good" as he tried "to bring up this big issue of racism within an Irish context".<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 June 2020|title=Ryan's intentions 'good' despite 'misstep', says writer|website=[[RTÉ.ie]] |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0612/1147000-racism-politics/|language=en|access-date=12 June 2020|archive-date=12 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612151026/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2020/0612/1147000-racism-politics/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ryan publicly apologised the same day as the speech.<ref>{{cite news |last=Staines |first=Michael |date=11 June 2020 |title=Eamon Ryan apologies after using N-word during Dáil speech on racism {{!}} Newstalk |url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/eamon-ryan-n-word-dail-1029441 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707113035/https://www.newstalk.com/news/eamon-ryan-n-word-dail-1029441 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Second term in government (2020–2024)===
On 27 June 2020, following 139 days of negotiations, the members of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party all voted in favour of entering government together as a coalition.<ref name="RTE Coalition">{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2020/0625/1149711-programme-for-government/|title=FF, FG and Green Party agree historic coalition deal|publisher=[[RTÉ News and Current Affairs]]|first=Mícheál|last=Lehane|date=26 June 2020|access-date=26 June 2020|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626213045/https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2020/0625/1149711-programme-for-government/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/government-formation-count-5133893-Jun2020/|title=It's a yes: FF, FG and Greens to enter coalition after members back government deal|publisher=[[TheJournal.ie]]|first=Christina|last=Finn|date=26 June 2020|access-date=26 June 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627144117/https://www.thejournal.ie/government-formation-count-5133893-Jun2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> There had been concern that the proposal would not be accepted by the Green members, as the proposal required that it pass with 66% of the members in favour it.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blaney |first=Ferghal |date=24 June 2020 |title=Green Party members bitterly divided on Government deal as members slam leadership |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/green-party-members-bitterly-divided-22247492 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=29 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629094211/https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/politics/green-party-members-bitterly-divided-22247492 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in the end, 76% of the Green Party membership voted in favour of the deal.<ref name="RTE Coalition"/> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' journalist Pat Leahy described the vote to enter government as "vindication" for Ryan's leadership of the party and suggested it would strengthen his hand in the subsequent Green Party leadership contest.<ref name="Leahy">{{cite news |last=Leahy |first=Pat |title=Pat Leahy: Spectacular vindication for Eamon Ryan who coaxed and beseeched party over the line |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/pat-leahy-spectacular-vindication-for-eamon-ryan-who-coaxed-and-beseeched-party-over-the-line-1.4289787 |work=[[Irish Times]] |access-date=28 June 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=22 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922203532/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/pat-leahy-spectacular-vindication-for-eamon-ryan-who-coaxed-and-beseeched-party-over-the-line-1.4289787?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2Fpat-leahy-spectacular-vindication-for-eamon-ryan-who-coaxed-and-beseeched-party-over-the-line-1.4289787 |url-status=live }}</ref> Green Party rules require a leadership election within 6 months of a general election in Ireland.<ref name=RTE2020-07-23-01a>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0723/1155012-green-party-leadership/|title=Eamon Ryan wins Green Party leadership contest|first=Sandra|last=Hurley|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|date=23 July 2020|access-date=23 July 2020|quote=The leadership contest was seen as controversial when it was announced during the Government formation talks in June. However, the party said that it was holding it because of its rules, which say any leadership contest must be held within six months of a general election.|archive-date=23 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723181530/https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0723/1155012-green-party-leadership/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ryan sought re-election, and Deputy Leader [[Catherine Martin (politician)|Catherine Martin]] also contested the position, leading to the [[2020 Green Party leadership election (Ireland)|2020 Green Party leadership election]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Christina |date=6 June 2020 |title=Catherine Martin will challenge Eamon Ryan for the Green Party leadership |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/catherine-martin-5116686-Jun2020/ |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628014509/https://www.thejournal.ie/catherine-martin-5116686-Jun2020/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ryan was considered to represent the moderate "Old Guard" who were in favour of entering government while Martin was considered to represent younger, more radical Green party members apprehensive about working with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.<ref name="Leahy"/> On 23 July 2020, Ryan was re-elected as Green Party leader, defeating deputy leader [[Catherine Martin (politician)|Catherine Martin]] by 994 votes (51.24%) to 946 (48.76%).<ref name="RTE2020-07-23-01b2">{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Sandra |date=23 July 2020 |title=Eamon Ryan wins Green Party leadership contest |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0723/1155012-green-party-leadership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723181530/https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0723/1155012-green-party-leadership/ |archive-date=23 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020 |publisher=[[RTÉ News]]}}</ref>

On entering the government, Ryan was appointed as [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications]] and [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]].<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Halloran |first=Marie |date=27 June 2020 |title=Who is in the new Cabinet? Members in profile |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/who-is-in-the-new-cabinet-members-in-profile-1.4290698 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628121125/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/who-is-in-the-new-cabinet-members-in-profile-1.4290698 |url-status=live }}</ref> He commissioned the building of nine new [[gas-fired power plant]]s to prevent the risk of electricity shortages.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/energy-and-resources/ireland-to-get-nine-new-power-plants-by-2024-to-prevent-shortages-1.4794039 |title=Ireland to get nine new power plants by 2024 to prevent shortages |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=4 February 2022|access-date=8 March 2024}}</ref>

In June 2021, Ryan received the Green Leader Award.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 Winners {{!}} Green Awards|url=https://www.greenawards.ie/shortlist|access-date=7 July 2021|website=FitOutAwards|language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184842/https://www.greenawards.ie/shortlist|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 17 December 2022, he was re-appointed to the same positions following [[Leo Varadkar]]'s re-appointment as Taoiseach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2022/1217/1342500-cabinet-reshuffle-govt/|title=Reshuffle: Who is in the new Cabinet?|publisher=[[RTÉ News]]|first=Micheál|last=Lehane|date=17 December 2022|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> On 9 April 2024, the same occurred following [[Simon Harris]]' appointment as Taoiseach.

On 18 June 2024, following a poor showing for the Green Party in [[2024 Irish local elections|local]] and [[2024 European Parliament election in Ireland|European]] elections, he announced that he was stepping down as leader of the Green Party and would not contest the [[2024 Irish general election|2024 general election]].<ref name=resig />

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Eamon Ryan}}
*{{Official website|eamonryan.ie}}
*[https://www.greenparty.ie/people/eamon-ryan/ Eamon Ryan's page on the Green Party website]

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{{s-bef|before = [[Noel Dempsey]]|as=Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources]]
       |years  = 2007–2011}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Pat Carey]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Richard Bruton]]|as=Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications]]
       |years  = 2020–2025}}
{{s-aft|after  = [[Darragh O'Brien]]|rows=2}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Shane Ross]]|as=Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Minister for Transport (Ireland)|Minister for Transport]]
       |years  = 2020–2025}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before = [[John Gormley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title  = [[Green Party (Ireland)|Leader of the Green Party]]
       |years  = 2011–2024}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Roderic O'Gorman]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Dublin South (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}
{{Dublin Bay South (Dáil constituency)/TDs}}
{{27th Government of Ireland}}
{{28th Government of Ireland}}
{{32nd Government of Ireland}}
{{33rd Government of Ireland}}
{{34th Government of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for Transport of Ireland}}
{{Ministers for the Environment of Ireland}}
{{Green Party (Ireland)}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Eamon}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College Dublin]]
[[Category:Green Party (Ireland) TDs]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Green Party (Ireland)]]
[[Category:Members of Dublin City Council]]
[[Category:Members of the 29th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 30th Dáil]]
[[Category:Members of the 32nd Dáil]]
[[Category:People educated at Gonzaga College]]
[[Category:Politicians from Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Members of the 33rd Dáil]]
[[Category:Ministers for transport of Ireland]]
[[Category:Green Party (Ireland) local councillors]]