Why is Eamon Ryan stepping aside?

Rumours that Eamon Ryan was to about to step down as leader of the Green Party started to emerge on Tuesday morning on foot of Ryan calling a press conference at Government Buildings for 12.30pm. He did indeed announce to the waiting media that he would be stepping down, while staying in Cabinet as Minister for Transport – that is, he said, if the new Green Party leader wants him to.

But who will that leader be? And why did Ryan decide after 13 years to leave the top job? Did he simply have enough of being the figurehead – with all the abuse that entailed – for the green agenda in Ireland.

And how much did the party’s poor results in the European and local elections impact on his decision?

Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy explores Ryan’s surprise announcement - on what should have been a quiet post-election week in Irish politics.