1. Eamon Michael Ryan was born on 28 July 1963 and is an Irish former Green Party politician who served as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport from June 2020 to January 2025, and was Leader of the Green Party from May 2011 to June 2024.
Eamon Ryan served as a Teachta Dala for the Dublin Bay South constituency from 2016 to 2024, and previously from 2002 to 2011 for the Dublin South constituency.
Eamon Ryan previously served as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2011.
Eamon Ryan retired from politics after the 2024 general election.
Eamon Ryan was educated at Gonzaga College and University College Dublin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Eamon Ryan 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 Ireland and Europe.
Eamon Ryan married the author and journalist Victoria White in 1998 and they have four children.
Eamon Ryan first held political office in 1998, when he was co-opted to Dublin City Council, taking up the seat previously held by John Gormley.
Eamon Ryan topped the poll at the 1999 local elections in the Rathmines local electoral area.
Eamon Ryan served as Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources during the 29th Dail.
In 2003, Eamon Ryan protested against the use of Shannon Airport by the US military for transport of combatants and arms, in violation of Ireland's neutrality.
Eamon Ryan announced on 13 September 2004, that he intended to seek his party's nomination to be a candidate in the 2004 presidential election.
Eamon Ryan's campaign was hit by his admission of cannabis use, an illegal drug.
Eamon Ryan was re-elected to the Dail at the 2007 general election held on 24 May On 13 June, the Green Party voted in favour of entering into a coalition government with Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats at a special party convention.
Eamon Ryan was appointed to the cabinet by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the 30th Dail sat the following day.
Eamon Ryan aimed to enhance communications infrastructure where Ireland had fallen behind other countries.
Eamon Ryan committed Ireland to the European Super Grid programme in 2009 and announced major government investment in marine energy research projects.
Eamon Ryan was 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.
Eamon Ryan resigned as Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on 23 January 2011, when the Green Party withdrew from government.
Eamon Ryan was one of three candidates to contest the subsequent Green Party leadership election of May 2011.
Eamon Ryan was elected leader on 27 May 2011, succeeding John Gormley.
Eamon Ryan was the Green Party candidate in the Dublin constituency at the 2014 European Parliament election, but was not elected.
Eamon Ryan was elected a TD for the Dublin Bay South constituency in the 2016 general election, alongside deputy leader Catherine Martin who secured a seat in Dublin Rathdown.
In 2019, Eamon Ryan called for wolves to be reintroduced to Ireland.
The newspaper stated that Eamon Ryan suggested that a village of 300 people needs just 30 cars to operate.
Gallen himself said that Eamon Ryan's intentions were "really good" as he tried "to bring up this big issue of racism within an Irish context".
Eamon Ryan sought re-election, and Deputy Leader Catherine Martin contested the position, leading to the 2020 Green Party leadership election.
Eamon 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 Fail or Fine Gael.
On 23 July 2020, Eamon Ryan was re-elected as Green Party leader, defeating deputy leader Catherine Martin by 994 votes to 946.
On entering the government, Eamon Ryan was appointed as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport.
Eamon Ryan commissioned the building of nine new gas-fired power plants to prevent the risk of electricity shortages.