Although Eamon Ryan said he has a good working relationship with his coalition partners, the Green Party leader said the Government has to “be careful with promises”. 

The Independent reported today that Mr Ryan “clashed” with Tánaiste Micheál Martin about making pre-election spending promises earlier this week. 

A high-ranking coalition source reportedly said there was a lot of “grumbling and tut-tutting” from the Greens towards Fianna Fáil. 

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show today, Mr Ryan said he did have a conversation with Mr Martin regarding electoral promises. 

“I just said listen, we’ve got to be careful on all the promises,” he said. 

“I was saying [it] to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil because of the conventions. 

“Promises in the world of politics is not a rare thing, but I just felt I think we have to be careful. 

“The Budget will be in October, and you have all sorts of hints of this, that and the other is going to be in the Budget. 

“Firstly, the electorate is slightly tired of that, it doesn’t really believe it and it doesn't really sway them. 

“But also... someone's going to be disappointed because we won't be able to meet all those promises.” 

The Green Party leader he said all of this to his coalition partners in a meeting on Monday. 

Ryan working with coalition partners

Ryan also denied the conversation is a sign the Government parties are beginning to “jostle” ahead of elections, although they are now settling into the new make up with Simon Harris as Taoiseach. 

“That happens,” he said. “It happened the last time. 

“I think anytime – particularly when you have a new Taoiseach - it takes a while to settle in and just to learn and get used to the working relationship.” 

Mr Ryan did note promises he thinks are feasible, such as building 50,000 homes a year by next year. 

“I think we're already on track to that,” he said. “We don't know exactly how many how it's going to be built this year, but the expectation is going to get up towards 40,000.” 

He said the next Government will be building 50,000 homes a year. 

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