Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan warned TDs Michael and Danny Healy-Rae that Kerry is “going green” in the future. 

Speaking at the party’s national conference in Dublin last night, Mr Ryan said junior Minister Malcolm Noonan is set to announce a new national park, which will include Kerry's Conor Pass 

“I'm afraid I have some bad news for the Healey-Raes,” he said. “The Kingdom is going green. 

“And the Kingdom come is going to be 40 shades more if we have our way. 

“That’s happening pretty much up and down the west, north-west, south counties, because it’s good for us. 

“Irish people want to live in a healthy, clean, beautiful natural environment.” 

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien and Mr Noonan are due to announce the introduction of a new national park on Monday. 

Two separate pieces of land in west Kerry went on the market last year and it is understood the State purchased both to create the new park. 

Ryan condemns protest

In his address to party members, Mr Ryan also commended Roderic O'Gorman's performance as Integration Minister following protests outside his home. 

Mr Ryan condemned the actions of masked men protesting outside his colleague's home, saying that behaviour has no place in a democracy. 

“The masked men who gathered outside his home last Thursday night do represent our people or our national flag,” he said. 

“They do a disservice to it. 

“We surely cannot let such intimidation hold sway.” 

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan celebrates after his leaders speech at their party conference in the RDS. Photo: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Fianna Fáil senator Malcolm Byrne called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to proceed with his bill banning protests outside private homes following the protest. 

The Protection of Private Residences (Against Targeted Picketing) Bill would make it an offence to formally or informally organise or participate in a “targeted” protest with 200 metres of a person’s home. 

Speaking at the conference yesterday, Mr O’Gorman said it's important we look at that legislation. 

“I think it's going to the Justice Committee at the moment in terms of the issues around constitutionality,” he said. 

“But I also think in terms of our response, it has to be proportionate. 

“We can’t create a barrier between politicians and the public.” 

Mr Ryan said it is the "main goal" of the far-right to stop the green transition.