One of Eamon Ryan's chief critics has paid tribute to the man behind the politics following the Green Party leader's decision to step down.
Roscommon/Galway Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has often been vocal in his opposition to Green Party initiatives such as the proposed turf ban, the EU Nature Restoration plan and others.
The pair have repeatedly clashed in the Dail and in media, with Deputy Fitzmaurice accusing the Environment Minister of being anti farmer.
Eamon Ryan announced earlier this week that he was stepping down as party leader and would not be contesting the next General Election.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show, The Independent Ireland Deputy says that while he fought against the Minister politically, he didn't see him as a bad person.
Deputy Fitzmaurice says that people sometimes don't see that politicians are human beings at the end of the day:
