Eamon Ryan has said Sinn Féin is doing poorly because they did not offer the public a “something credible” ahead of polling day. 

The Green Party is enjoying a better local election than expected by most, while Sinn Féin polled around 11% - much lower than their standing in opinion polls. 

“I don’t think the opposition have something credible to really offer in terms of answering some of those difficult questions,” Minister Ryan told The Anton Savage Show: Elections 2024. 

“Particularly after maybe a long time in opposition where you’re all about whataboutery and giving out but not really presenting a credible alternative. 

“That might lend people to say, ‘Well actually, the Government, warts and all… they have a plan to do something and are doing it.’”

For her part, Mary Lou McDonald has said she was "disappointed" with her party's performance.

“We've been on tens of thousands of doorsteps over the last number of weeks,” she said. 

“We listened carefully, we now need to reflect and learn from it - I'm sorry that we didn't do better, I know we can and I'm determined that we will do better." 

Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to media in the count centre . Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Minister Ryan also admitted many people have developed a negative perception of his party, amid claims they are ‘anti-rural’.

“That narrative is out there,” he said. 

“Once a narrative gets set, it’s very hard to break it. 

“All our attention is actually promoting a green transition and a positive one in rural Ireland, as well as urban. 

“It has to be national, it has to be all over the world, but it’s a very fixed idea and it’s going to take a lot of work for us to turn that narrative around.”

'Change is not easy'@EamonRyan on the @greenparty_ie's better-than-expected #LE24 performance#LE24 #Elections2024 @ElectionNT @AntonSavageNT pic.twitter.com/UHntXLywCk

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 9, 2024

Despite people’s views of the Green Party, this weekend’s results have fuelled speculation that the Government could call an autumn election after the Budget. 

It is a suggestion the Tánaiste was keen to disavow. 

“The focus is on doing what’s right by the people,” Micheál Martin said.

“A stable coherent Government that doesn't allow party self-interest to come in the way. 

“The public will see through any attempted manoeuvres based on just trying to suit a political party or two. 

“We need to focus on the key issues.”

If an election is not held later this year, it must be called in early 2025.

Main image: Green Party leader Minister Eamon Ryan. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie