Ryan: I won’t be taoiseach
GREEN Party leader Eamon Ryan has said he has no interest in being taoiseach in a government with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
However, he has not ruled out becoming tánaiste, with the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael set to take turns for the top job.
Government formation talks between the three parties continue this week – more than three months on from February’s inconclusive general election.
The plan would see Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin hold the position for two years and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar hold it for another two years.
Asked on RTÉ radio if he would like to share the position of rotating taoiseach, Mr Ryan said ‘no’.
He said: ‘I think we should fixate on delivering practical change and changing the way the economy works.
‘I think [becoming taoiseach] would become the whole story and it’s not what I’m looking for.
‘Again, it is not something I have talked to the other parties about... I’m not going to rule out tánaiste because it is a very different role.’
Mr Ryan also said he had no issue with deputy Green Party leader Catherine Martin challenging him for the leadership of the party.
Ms Martin last week said she was giving ‘serious consideration’ to challenging Mr Ryan for the leadership after being urged to do so by councillors and members.
He said: ‘It’s absolutely fine. Our tradition and rule is that after a general election, a new leader has to be elected within six months.’
Ms Martin is leading negotiations for the Green Party in coalition talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Nominations for the leadership election will open today while ballots will be sent to members at the beginning of July.
Ballots are due to be counted on July 23.