While it is a common adage that all political careers inevitably conclude in disappointment, this is not strictly accurate, as the trajectory of Eamon Ryan perfectly demonstrates. Superficially, his tenure as the Green Party chief may seem to end on a downturn, with failed reelections for its two MEPs and loss of nearly half of its council spots. However, this is only a fraction of Ryan’s political narrative. When he assumed leadership in 2011, the Green Party had just experienced a catastrophic general election, losing all its Dáil seats, emerging from an alliance with Fianna Fáil and being left with merely three councillors. The party was dismissed as politically deceased.
Contrary to this grim beginning, Ryan orchestrated a remarkable revival of the party’s standing. A decade after the disastrous 2011 election, the Greens now have a dozen TDs, two MEPs, and 49 councillors, proving itself to be a significant player in Irish politics. Its influence is most profoundly seen in how the party, previously scorned and deemed out of step, succeeded in placing environmental crises at the pinnacle of the political discourse. Competing parties not only began to echo its language, occasionally even adopting its strategies, but also came to appreciate the party’s drive to urge short-termism-centric systems to adopt a broader perspective.
Unlike some left-oriented parties, the Greens wisely discerned that the path to authentic change lay in holding power. Their tenures in coalition government indicate the soundness of this strategy. Despite the overbearing effects of the financial crash during their initial term post the 2007 general election, Ryan, as the energy minister, managed to make strides in wind power policies.
With the Green Party regaining power in 2020, they faced a growing necessity for climate action. The Green’s critical contribution lay in facilitating the integration of this into every facet of Government work, thus making it a fundamental part of state strategies. Due to the Climate Change Act, legally binding emissions targets are now active. In areas varying from rural and city transport to improved solutions for pedestrians and cyclists, the green agenda has made significant strides.
The Labour Party is faced with discomforting enquiries about the implications of Brexit, which they appear to be avoiding discussions on, given its disastrous outcome. Ireland’s attempt to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity is facing significant challenges, with progress pacing slower than anticipated. The culpability lies largely with the politicians and their insufficient efforts. However, it would be misguided to argue that the gains made over the past few years were achieved without the involvement of the Green Party in the government.
The unexpected resignation of Eamon Ryan, who spent three decades in national politics, also raises questions. Ryan’s political journey exemplifies how the core values of seriousness, sincerity, and respect can pave the way for gaining success in a political landscape saturated with large egos and ruthless competitive strategies.