Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has called for tactical negotiations with the UK on Brexit to get a better deal for Ireland. 

Speaking at the Green Party's national conference in Waterford, Mr Ryan said Ireland should try to reach agreement with the UK on environmental standards, workers rights, and energy cooperation.

After a spell in government, the Greens suffered a wipe out in 2011 losing all six seats in the Dáil. Last year saw an improvement however, with the election of two TDs and a Senator.

The party are holding the conference to reassess the future of the party. At the conference they are discussing a number of topics such Brexit, mental health and climate change. 

Mr Ryan has urged the Government not to approach the Brexit talks in "fight mode". He told delegates that it would suit the hard Brexit Tories to crash out of the talks.

But this would be bad for Ireland, particularly for Irish agriculture, according to Eamon Ryan.

He finished by saying that Ireland should play 'good cop' to the European Commission's 'bad cop' during the talks.