Boyle to be next Lord Mayor?

By Maisie Mould

There’s speculation on Leeside this week that long-serving Councillor Dan Boyle of the Green Party will be elected as the new Lord Mayor of Cork City tomorrow, 21 June.

The current Lord Mayor, Councillor Kieran McCarthy, will pass on the chain to the next elected councillor in the City Council’s annual meeting this Friday.

Cllr Boyle stated via social media that he “will be seeking the nomination” and that he is hopeful of support.

Meanwhile, Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed on Tuesday that he will be standing down as the leader of the Green Party after 13 years, and will not contest the next general election.

In a statement he said: “As a leader, it is important to always know that there is a good time to go and a time to pass things on to a new talent.”

Media Minister Catherine Martin, who was favourite to take over from Mr Ryan, has also announced she will not seek the leadership position and that she is to resign as deputy leader of the party.

The resignations come in the wake of the Green Party’s poor performance in the recent local elections, where they lost over half their seats.

Speaking in the aftermath of Minister Ryan’s news, Cllr Boyle said he thinks the Green Party leader was “excellent” in his role.

He said a new leader would give a new impetus to the Green Party in the general election.

“No one actively wants him to step down as leader, but his own instinct is probably the right one,” he said.

Oliver Moran, Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, described working with Ryan as a “deep privilege”, and spoke of positive changes he made to Cork’s infrastructure.

He said: “His mark will remain on the city through those works and more for the next century to come.”

Newly elected party councillor for Cork City South East, Honore Kamegni, described Ryan as “a very good person and a great leader”, and believed the resignation will allow for “a new direction for the party”.

Minister Ryan will continue to serve as party leader and in his ministerial role until a replacement is appointed.