Eamon Ryan stepping down as Irish Green Party leader

The leader of Ireland's Green Party, Eamon Ryan, is to step down from the position, Irish broadcaster RTE reports.

The announcement will mean Mr Ryan is the second leader of the Republic's coalition government to step down this year.

Former taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar stepped down as Fine Gael leader in April.

Mr Ryan's decision comes after the local and European elections, which saw the Green Party lose both of its MEP seats.

The party's number of local councillors was also halved.

Mr Ryan has been leader of the Greens in Ireland since 2011 and was first elected to the Dáil (Irish parliament) in 2002.

He has been a TD for Dublin Bay South since 2016.

His announcement is expected after a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday.

It is thought he will continue in his role as environment and climate minister, Irish broadcaster RTE has said.